Chelsea Sign $28M Goalkeeper Who Will Compete With Struggling Kepa For Starting Spot

Chelsea FC signed Edouard Mendy from French club Rennes on a five-year deal, the club said Thursday. The Blues reportedly paid $28 million for Mendy, who will compete for the starting spot with Kepa Arrizabalaga, who struggled for form over the last 12 months.

Chelsea signed Kepa from Athletic Bilbao ahead of the 2018-19 season for $91 million, which is still a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. The Spaniard made several errors in recent times, the latest one coming against rivals Liverpool FC that allowed the Premier League champions to claim a 2-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.

"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. I look forward to meeting my team-mates and can’t wait to get started," 28-year-old Mendy told Chelsea's official website after he signed the deal.

Born in France, Mendy's parents were of Senegalese descent. He made eight appearances for the Senegal national team that also featured stars such as Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly. The shot-stopper began his career at AS Cherbourg in the Championnat National, the third tier of French football, and remained with the Normandy-based club until 2014.

After a brief stint at Marseille B, where he did not get a game, Mendy moved to Reims and in no time, he became the French club's first-choice goalkeeper. After three seasons at Reims, Mendy moved to Rennes, ahead of the 2019-20 season. He played a vital role last season when Rennes finished third in Ligue 1 and that has handed them their first Champions League appearance. He made 34 appearances for Rennes before Chelsea, who were looking for a back-up goalkeeper, sealed the deal for the player.

Mendy is the second goalkeeper to move from Rennes to Chelsea after the legendary Petr Cech in 2004.