Chelsea signing spree continues with £25 million deal for Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez

Chelsea have completed the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez on a seven-year deal.

The 25-year-old cost a reported £25 million and leaves the Seagulls after a decade on the south coast.

Sanchez becomes the seventh signing of the summer for Mauricio Pochettino’s side, following the arrivals of Axel Disasi, Christopher Nkunku, Nicolas Jackson, Lesley Ugochukwu, Diego Moreira and Angelo Gabriel.

"We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit," said co-sporting directors Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.

"Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead."

Sanchez will provide competition for current goalkeeper and his compatriot, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

Chelsea needed to add a goalkeeper to their squad after the departure of Edouard Mendy to Al-Ahli, who was no longer automatic first-choice before his departure.

Sanchez had recently been at odds with Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi and lost his place to Jason Steele. Brighton’s signing of Bart Verbruggen earlier in the summer saw him fall further down the pecking order.

Sanchez was eligible to represent England after joining Brighton’s academy at the age of 15, and counts as a homegrown player, but made his debut for Spain in 2021 and went to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He made 90 appearances for Brighton, keeping 29 clean sheets.

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