KEPA has completed his move from Chelsea to Real Madrid after rejecting the chance to join Harry Kane at Bayern Munich, according to reports.
And it will lead to Chelsea exploring the transfer market for a new goalkeeper.
Spanish international Kepa, 28, is returning to his homeland following five controversial years at Stamford Bridge.
The world's most expensive stopper arrived at Chelsea for a whopping £71.6million in 2018.
But ever since Edouard Mendy arrived two years later, the former Athletic Bilbao man was reduced to a bench-warming or cup-keeper role.
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The star, who infamously REFUSED to be subbed off in the 2019 Carabao Cup Final, regained his place last term.
But despite Eduard Mendy already quitting Chelsea for Saudi Arabia, he has been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Robert Sanchez joined the Blues in a £25m deal from Brighton on a seven-year deal.
And his arrival paved the way for Kepa to depart as both Bayern and Madrid launched moves to sign him.
Madrid wanted him on a loan-to-buy option after their No1 Thibaut Courtois sustained an ACL injury that ruled him out for the majority of the campaign.
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Bayern, who have sealed the £104m transfer signing of Kane from Tottenham, also submitted a one-year loan proposal for Kepa with an option to buy due to their first choice keeper, Manuel Neuer, still nursing an injury he picked up in a skiing accident last season.
However, Kepa had his heart set on going to the Bernabeu and informed the German giants of his decision this week.
That is according to journalist Florian Plettenberg, who tweeted: “News #Kepa: He is close to reject FC Bayern as there was the feeling for the club that he wanted to join them.
“But there were no agreements as reported.”
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He then added: “Kepa, NOW on verge to join @realmadrid to replace Courtois. Bayern informed.”
Later in the day, Fabrizio Romano confirmed the deal with a classic "here we go".
Kepa made over 100 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, who start their season with a home clash against Liverpool tomorrow.
During his time there he lifted the Champions League in 2021, as well as the Uefa Super Cup the same year and the 2019 Europa League.
He was also part of the Club World Cup winning squad in 2021.
According to Romano, the Blues will now hunt for a new goalkeeper to replace Kepa.
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