Chelsea have confirmed the transfer of Edouard Mendy from Rennes, with the player committing to a long-term deal until 2025.
Chelsea had been in the search for a replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, who put his error-prone nature on heavy display last season and continued to show it in the current one.
The club have long been in talks to sign Edouard Mendy, and their pursuit has finally come to an end on Thursday.
Mendy, who reportedly cost the Blues close to €25 million, is expected to become Frank Lampard’s first-choice goalkeeper.
The 28-year old was one of the standout performers for Renners in Ligue 1 in 2019/20. He stopped 10.2% of crosses in his box, saved a staggering 78.4 percent of the shots he faced, and conceded just 0.79 goals per 90 minutes, according to Football Critic.
“I am so excited to be joining Chelsea. It’s a dream for me to be a part of this exciting squad and to work with Frank Lampard and all of his coaching staff,” Mendy said in a video posted on Chelsea’s official Twitter account.
“I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t wait to get started.”
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, as quoted on the club’s website, said of their new acquisition: “As soon as Petr Cech and our technical team identified Edouard as the most suitable goalkeeper to complement our existing group, there was only one player we wanted to bring in.
“Edouard arrives following a season of real success with Rennes, he is ambitious for more, and we welcome him to our club.”