After becoming the world's most expensive goalkeeper, a two-time Champions League winner, a Europa League winner and a La Liga champion, Kepa Arrizabalaga has taken the unexpected decision to move to AFC Bournemouth on a season-long loan deal.

The Spaniard became the Cherries' eighth and final addition of the summer transfer window when he signed on 29 August.

Arrizabalaga made just 20 club appearances on loan at Real Madrid in the 2023/24 season, recording a total of nine clean sheets.

Due to being deemed surplus to requirements and placed in isolation training at his parent club Chelsea, the Spaniard had to find a move this summer.

It was a former friend and teammate in Andoni Iraola who has now taken a chance on the 'keeper after the Cherries struggled to find a fully trusted number one last season.

Here is a look at what the shot-stopper will bring to the Vitality Stadium.

Key Attributes A divisive figure during his time at Stamford Bridge, Arrizabalaga struggled to live up to his PS72m price tag.

The Spaniard began his stint in blue positively, making 36 Premier League appearances in the 2018/19 season, featuring an additional 13 times in the Europa League.

Additionally, in the 2018/19 season, Kepa also kept 14 league clean sheets, placing him only behind Liverpool's Alisson and Manchester City's Ederson.

The Chelsea goalkeeper also averaged 2.08 saves per match with a 69% save success rate and a 39% clean sheet rate.

Finally, the PS72m man impressed in his debut season in the Premier League when using his feet. He recorded 715 passes and 128 accurate long balls, averaging 28.6 per 90 minutes at an 87% success rate.

However, after the 2018/19 season, Kepa recorded 21 clean sheets across the next four Premier League seasons.

The reign of Graham Potter saw a brief return to the Chelsea line-up as Kepa made 29 Premier League appearances. Nonetheless, the 2023/24 saw another season out of the side as he joined Real Madrid on loan.

Within his time at Chelsea, the stop-stopper was often criticised for his lack of assertiveness and strength inside of his box, often choosing to punch or being beaten in physical duels.

The 'keeper's case was also not helped in the 2019 Carabao Cup Final as he infamously refused to be substituted off before Chelsea's penalty shoot-out defeat to Manchester City.

Many eyebrows were raised when Arrizabalaga chose the red and black stripes of Bournemouth. However, one of the main reasons for the 'keeper's choice of new club is due to the man inside the dugout.

From the Basque region to Bournemouth, Arrizabalaga's journey is a fascinating one.

The now 29-year-old goalkeeper joined Athletic Bilbao in 2013 and played for Ponferradina and Rayo Valladolid on consecutive loan spells in 2015 and 2016.

Finally, after making 50 appearances for Athletic Bilbao B, Arrizabalaga then became a first-team regular in 2018, making a total of 53 appearances for the Spanish side.

During this time at Bilbao, club stalwart Andoni Iraola was beginning to count down his last days at the Basque club.

Iraola made a total of 406 appearances for Bilbao across 12 seasons, also scoring 33 goals from right full-back.

The Bournemouth manager left Los Leones in 2015, while Arrizabalaga featured in the B team. However, the former right-back's influence is clear and his presence was a huge deciding factor in his side's newest signing.

"I know Andoni [Iraola] well, so of course that was a big reason for coming here," said Arrizabalaga.

"He spoke very well about everything here. I am so ready to be here and play in front of our fans.

"Last season was a great season for the club. We just want to keep going the same way and keep growing," the new signing added.

Solid Debut Following his loan move on 29 August, Arrizabalaga made his debut just two days later as the Cherries dramatically came back at Goodison Park to win 3-2 in added time.

Arrizabalga was solid in marshaling the Bournemouth goal, notably making a fine save from close range to deny Iliman Ndiaye with the inside of his legs.

The Cherries 'keeper made a total of six saves, with four of those being from inside his box.

The 29-year-old also recorded an accuracy of 86% for passes and 43% for long balls, showing his sound ability with his feet.

Despite conceding twice, the new man looked comfortable in goal and beside his teammates, showing a level of promise and excitement going forward for Bournemouth fans.