Chelsea have completed the permanent signing of Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa, the Premier League club confirmed on Sunday.
The 33-year-old shot-stopper has signed a three-year contract with the Blues, bringing an end to his six-year spell at Aston Villa.
Martinez, who was a key member of Argentina’s 2022 FIFA World Cup-winning squad, expressed his excitement after completing the move to Stamford Bridge.
“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martinez said in a statement published on Chelsea’s official website.
The goalkeeper added that joining Chelsea was an easy decision for him and his family, stressing his ambition to win trophies with the club.
“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,” he said.
Martinez also promised to give his best for Chelsea, saying: “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.”
The Argentina international began his professional career in England after joining Arsenal from Independiente in August 2010 at the age of 17.
He spent several seasons away on loan before establishing himself as Arsenal’s first-choice goalkeeper during the 2019/20 campaign, helping the Gunners win the FA Cup.
He also lifted the Community Shield with Arsenal before moving to Aston Villa in September 2020.
During his six seasons at Villa, Martinez made 256 appearances and played a significant role in the club’s recent success, including their UEFA Europa League triumph in May.
At international level, Martinez made his Argentina debut in June 2021 and has gone on to win 67 caps.
He was part of Argentina’s Copa America-winning teams in 2021 and 2024 before helping the country claim the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
His performances have also earned him individual recognition, with Martinez winning the Yashin Trophy for the world’s best-performing goalkeeper at the 2023 and 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremonies.
Aston Villa, in a statement shared on its official X account, thanked Martinez for his contribution to the club and said he “will always be remembered for his part in our recent journey and success.”
The club also wished the Argentine goalkeeper well as he begins a new chapter of his career at Chelsea.
