Emiliano Martínez completes £7.5m move from Aston Villa to Chelsea

Emiliano Martínez has completed a transfer to Chelsea, signing at Stamford Bridge on 30 August 2026 for a fee of £7.5m. The 33-year-old goalkeeper has left Aston Villa to join the Blues.

Martínez joined Aston Villa in 2020 and was a central figure in the club’s progress that culminated in last season’s Europa League success. He had been attempting to leave Villa for the past two summers; a move last year failed to materialise and a proposed transfer to Juventus collapsed earlier this month.

A World Cup winner with Argentina in 2022, Martínez has also been recognised individually, securing successive Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024 and winning two The Best Fifa Football awards.

“I’m delighted to be at this football club,” Martinez told their official website. “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.

“I’m all passion and I play with my heart. I will give 100% every game, every training session to make the club, my teammates and the supporters proud.”

Martínez becomes the latest high-profile player to leave Villa, following Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne out of Villa Park, with Ollie Watkins also set to make an exit.

Villa said in a statement: “Emi joined the club from Arsenal in 2020 and has been a commanding presence in goal throughout his time at the club, which culminated in him helping Villa win the Europa League in May. He earned his first international caps while at Aston Villa, going on to win two Copa América titles and a World Cup with Argentina. He was also twice named the world’s No 1 one goalkeeper, picking up successive Yashin Trophies in 2023 and 2024 as well as two The Best Fifa Football awards.

“With his stellar performances and infectious competitive nature, Emi will always be remembered for his part in our recent journey and success and leaves Aston Villa with the very best wishes of everyone at the football club.”

He has signed a three-year contract at Stamford Bridge and is expected to displace Robert Sánchez as Chelsea’s No 1 goalkeeper.