{"id":264131,"first_name":"Kepa","last_name":"Arrizabalaga Revuelta","short_name":"Kepa Arrizabalaga","common_name":"Kepa Arrizabalaga","place_of_birth":"Ondarroa","gender":"male","height":189,"weight":84,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T07:11:11.689Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:06:41.283Z","locale":"en","age":30,"stb_id":"kepa-arrizabalaga","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Kepa Arrizabalaga","top_position":null,"introduction":"Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta, born on 3 October 1994 in Ondarroa, is a renowned Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Currently on loan to AFC Bournemouth from Chelsea, Kepa has left a significant mark on football with his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea and notable performances across Europe. He is celebrated for his contributions to club victories in UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, and international appearances with the Spain national team.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nKepa Arrizabalaga was born in Ondarroa, Biscay, in the Basque Country of Spain, on 3 October 1994. His journey in football began early, influenced by his upbringing in a region passionate about the sport. Details about his family background or early education are limited, yet his passion for football led him to join Athletic Bilbao's esteemed youth academy.\n\n## Youth Career\nKepa's football career was initiated at Athletic Bilbao, where he joined their youth setup at the mere age of ten in 2004. Developing within the club's academy at Lezama, he honed his skills over several years, setting the foundation for a promising career in football. His potential was quickly noticed, leading to his involvement with Basconia, the farm team of Athletic Bilbao, where he made his senior debut in January 2012 in the Tercera División.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Athletic Bilbao\nKepa Arrizabalaga started his professional journey with Athletic Bilbao, where he was promoted to the reserve team in 2013. He made his debut on 16 February 2013 in a Segunda División B match. Following loans to Ponferradina and Real Valladolid, Kepa established himself as a first-team regular at Bilbao in 2016. In January 2018, amidst transfer speculation, he renewed his contract with Athletic Bilbao before making a high-profile move to Chelsea in August 2018 for a then-record fee of €80 million, becoming the world's most expensive goalkeeper.\n\n### Chelsea\nAt Chelsea, Kepa made his Premier League debut in August 2018. He played a crucial role in the team's Europa League victory in the 2018-19 season, although his career at Chelsea was also marked by challenges and inconsistency. Noteworthy performances include saving penalties in the UEFA Europa League semi-final. Despite facing criticism during the 2019-21 seasons, Kepa contributed to Chelsea's success in winning the Champions League in 2021 under coach Thomas Tuchel.\n\n### Real Madrid and AFC Bournemouth\nIn 2023, Kepa was loaned to Real Madrid following Thibaut Courtois' injury, making a debut with a clean sheet but soon losing his starting position. In 2024, he was loaned to AFC Bournemouth for the 2024-25 season.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nKepa represented Spain at various youth levels, being instrumental in Spain's victory in the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, showcasing his prowess by saving penalties in the semi-finals against France.\n\n### Senior National Team\nKepa earned his first senior cap for Spain on 11 November 2017 in a 5–0 victory over Costa Rica. He was named in the squad for the 2018 World Cup, although he did not appear in the tournament. His international career saw further successes with Spain winning the UEFA Nations League in the 2022-23 season.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nKepa Arrizabalaga is recognized for his exceptional shot-stopping ability, agility, and reflexes, a blend that marked his early years as one of Europe's promising young goalkeepers. Known for his excellent footwork, distribution, and skill with the ball, Kepa's ability to play as a sweeper keeper fits seamlessly into possession-based systems.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nSpecific match statistics for Kepa Arrizabalaga include appearances for clubs and national teams, with notable performances including clean sheets and penalty saves. However, detailed numbers on goals, assists, or exhaustive match data are not available from the provided source.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- UEFA Champions League (Chelsea, 2020-21)\n- UEFA Europa League (Chelsea, 2018-19)\n- UEFA Super Cup (Chelsea, 2021)\n- FIFA Club World Cup (Chelsea, 2021)\n- La Liga (Real Madrid, 2023-24)\n\n### Individual Achievements\nKepa's individual honors include being named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season for 2018-19 and winning the Premier League Save of the Season award for 2022-23.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nKepa Arrizabalaga's career has been marked by significant successes and challenges. He made headlines with his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea and played pivotal roles in major victories, reinforcing his reputation as an impactful goalkeeper in European football.\n\n## Off the Field\nDetails on Kepa's activities off the field are limited in the source material. However, as a high-profile athlete, he likely engages in initiatives beyond football, reflecting the social roles athletes often undertake.\n\n## Personal Life\nInformation regarding Kepa Arrizabalaga's personal life, including family or interests outside football, is not detailed in the provided source.","stb_internal_id":"01930576-7c16-7ba9-b34d-6e299a99c0e9","overrides":null,"type_code":"goalkeeper","position_type_code":"goalkeeper","detailed_position_type_code":"goalkeeper","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Kepa Arrizabalaga Revuelta, born on 3 October 1994 in Ondarroa, is a renowned Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper. Currently on loan to AFC Bournemouth from Chelsea, Kepa has left a significant mark on football with his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea and notable performances across Europe. He is celebrated for his contributions to club victories in UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, and international appearances with the Spain national team.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Kepa Arrizabalaga was born in Ondarroa, Biscay, in the Basque Country of Spain, on 3 October 1994. His journey in football began early, influenced by his upbringing in a region passionate about the sport. Details about his family background or early education are limited, yet his passion for football led him to join Athletic Bilbao's esteemed youth academy.

Youth Career

Kepa's football career was initiated at Athletic Bilbao, where he joined their youth setup at the mere age of ten in 2004. Developing within the club's academy at Lezama, he honed his skills over several years, setting the foundation for a promising career in football. His potential was quickly noticed, leading to his involvement with Basconia, the farm team of Athletic Bilbao, where he made his senior debut in January 2012 in the Tercera División.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Athletic Bilbao

Kepa Arrizabalaga started his professional journey with Athletic Bilbao, where he was promoted to the reserve team in 2013. He made his debut on 16 February 2013 in a Segunda División B match. Following loans to Ponferradina and Real Valladolid, Kepa established himself as a first-team regular at Bilbao in 2016. In January 2018, amidst transfer speculation, he renewed his contract with Athletic Bilbao before making a high-profile move to Chelsea in August 2018 for a then-record fee of €80 million, becoming the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

Chelsea

At Chelsea, Kepa made his Premier League debut in August 2018. He played a crucial role in the team's Europa League victory in the 2018-19 season, although his career at Chelsea was also marked by challenges and inconsistency. Noteworthy performances include saving penalties in the UEFA Europa League semi-final. Despite facing criticism during the 2019-21 seasons, Kepa contributed to Chelsea's success in winning the Champions League in 2021 under coach Thomas Tuchel.

Real Madrid and AFC Bournemouth

In 2023, Kepa was loaned to Real Madrid following Thibaut Courtois' injury, making a debut with a clean sheet but soon losing his starting position. In 2024, he was loaned to AFC Bournemouth for the 2024-25 season.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Kepa represented Spain at various youth levels, being instrumental in Spain's victory in the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, showcasing his prowess by saving penalties in the semi-finals against France.

Senior National Team

Kepa earned his first senior cap for Spain on 11 November 2017 in a 5–0 victory over Costa Rica. He was named in the squad for the 2018 World Cup, although he did not appear in the tournament. His international career saw further successes with Spain winning the UEFA Nations League in the 2022-23 season.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Kepa Arrizabalaga is recognized for his exceptional shot-stopping ability, agility, and reflexes, a blend that marked his early years as one of Europe's promising young goalkeepers. Known for his excellent footwork, distribution, and skill with the ball, Kepa's ability to play as a sweeper keeper fits seamlessly into possession-based systems.

Performance Statistics

Specific match statistics for Kepa Arrizabalaga include appearances for clubs and national teams, with notable performances including clean sheets and penalty saves. However, detailed numbers on goals, assists, or exhaustive match data are not available from the provided source.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

UEFA Champions League (Chelsea, 2020-21)
UEFA Europa League (Chelsea, 2018-19)
UEFA Super Cup (Chelsea, 2021)
FIFA Club World Cup (Chelsea, 2021)
La Liga (Real Madrid, 2023-24)

Individual Achievements

Kepa's individual honors include being named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season for 2018-19 and winning the Premier League Save of the Season award for 2022-23.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Kepa Arrizabalaga's career has been marked by significant successes and challenges. He made headlines with his record-breaking transfer to Chelsea and played pivotal roles in major victories, reinforcing his reputation as an impactful goalkeeper in European football.

Off the Field

Details on Kepa's activities off the field are limited in the source material. However, as a high-profile athlete, he likely engages in initiatives beyond football, reflecting the social roles athletes often undertake.

Personal Life

Information regarding Kepa Arrizabalaga's personal life, including family or interests outside football, is not detailed in the provided source.

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Kepa Arrizabalaga: Career