Emiliano Martinez Joins Chelsea: Transfer Fee, Contract Length, Shirt Number & Potential Debut

Emiliano Martinez is officially a Chelsea player!

Chelsea have confirmed the arrival of Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa.

Martinez, 33, offers Chelsea experience, something they have added in abundance this summer with the acquisitions of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.

After initially heading into the 2026/27 season with Robert Sanchez and Mike Penders, with either Teddy Sharman-Lowe or Gabriel Slonina as the third choice, Chelsea opted to make a late move at the end of the summer transfer window to bring the Argentine goalkeeper to Stamford Bridge.

However, despite Chelsea winning 3-2 against Fulham in their Premier League opener, Sanchez's performance was heavily scrutinised after his errors allowed the Cottagers back into the game, which prompted the Blues to head into the market.

With Martinez being available after Serie A side Juventus pulled out of their move for the goalkeeper, it presented Chelsea with an opportunity that they clearly did not want to miss.

The 33-year-old's future at Aston Villa was uncertain after Unai Emery's side opted to bring in Zion Suzuki from Parma.

Chelsea moved quickly after being offered the chance to sign Martinez, and the move has now been made official, which is set to make him the club's new number one.

What happens to Sanchez and Penders now in the final days of the window remains unclear. Martinez's arrival will not block Penders' pathway at Chelsea, with the club rating the Belgian highly and playing a big role for the club in the long term.

A replacement in goal will now reduce the noise over the position after several years of finding the right solution. With defensive reinforcements also made this summer, a new-look Chelsea at the back is hoped to springboard the club to more clean sheets, translating into more victories.

Now that the signing has been confirmed, here are all of the details of Martinez's transfer to Chelsea.

Emiliano Martinez's Chelsea transfer fee from Aston Villa

Chelsea are understood to have paid a fee of £7.5 million for Martinez.

Emiliano Martinez's Chelsea contract length

Martinez has signed an initial two-year contract at Chelsea until June 2028, with the option of a further year.

Emiliano Martinez's Chelsea shirt number

Martinez will wear the number 26 shirt at Chelsea. He has worn the 23 for both Aston Villa and Argentina, which fellow new signing Geovany Quenda had already taken this summer.

When Emiliano Martinez could make his first Chelsea appearance

It remains unclear if Chelsea registered Martinez in time for the fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion. If he hasn't, Martinez could make his Chelsea debut in the big London derby against Arsenal at the Emirates on September 6. 

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