Chelsea signs Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa for £7.5 million

Transfer terms and arrival at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea confirmed the signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez on Sunday, securing the 33-year-old on a three-year contract. The transfer from fellow Premier League club Aston Villa was completed for a fee reported at £7.5 million ($10 million), equivalent to approximately €8.7 million. Martínez, who turns 34 on 2 September, had sought a departure from Villa Park over the past two summer transfer windows, with a prospective move to Italian side Juventus collapsing earlier in August. The London club finalised terms ahead of the transfer deadline, welcoming the veteran shot-stopper following his six seasons in Birmingham.

Coming to Chelsea, for me and my family, was an easy decision to make and I'm just over the moon. I can't wait to get started. I want to be successful here. I'm someone who wants to win at everything I do and I want to bring that here to this football club because it's a football club that wins titles, so I think it's a good match.

Goalkeeping hierarchy under Xabi Alonso

Martínez arrives at Stamford Bridge to compete for the starting goalkeeper spot under manager Xabi Alonso. Chelsea's goalkeeping position has faced scrutiny in recent seasons, and incumbent first-choice goalkeeper Robert Sánchez drew criticism during the club's 3-2 victory against Fulham in their Premier League opener on Monday. The arrival of Martínez provides Alonso with an experienced competitor for Sánchez and Belgian prospect Mike Penders. The transfer represents the second deal completed between Chelsea and Aston Villa in late August, following striker Nicolas Jackson's switch from London to Birmingham on Friday.

I'm all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100 per cent every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud.

Roster overhaul and departures at Aston Villa

Villa had prepared for Martínez's departure by signing 24-year-old Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Italian club Parma earlier in the transfer window. Martínez made 256 appearances for Aston Villa after joining from Arsenal in 2020, helping the club win the Europa League in May. In an official statement, Aston Villa praised his competitive spirit and noted his contribution to the team's recent accomplishments. His exit coincides with a broader transition at Villa Park, following the exits of Lucas Digne, Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, and Morgan Rogers, alongside pending moves involving forward Ollie Watkins.

International honours and career progression

Martínez began his career in the youth ranks of Argentine club Independiente before moving to Arsenal in 2010 at age 17. Following multiple loan spells, he started the final 11 matches of Arsenal's 2019–20 campaign, winning the FA Cup before completing a permanent transfer to Aston Villa. At international level, Martínez has earned 67 caps as Argentina's regular goalkeeper since 2021. He helped Argentina secure the Copa América in both 2021 and 2024, won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and reached the World Cup final in 2026. His performances earned him the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremonies in 2023 and 2024.