Chelsea Sign Belgian Goalkeeper Mike Penders in £17M Deal

Chelsea Football Club has officially signed Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders in a deal worth around £17 million. The Blues confirmed the acquisition of the young talent on their website on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Penders, who signed an eight-year contract, will remain with his current club, Genk, on loan until the end of the 2024/25 season before joining Chelsea.

This signing marks the latest addition to Chelsea’s busy transfer window as they bolster their squad. Penders, who has been with Genk since 2018, is expected to add depth to Chelsea’s goalkeeping options when he moves to London next summer. The club’s wage bill now includes eight goalkeepers, featuring names like Robert Sanchez, Djordje Petrovic, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and recent recruit Filip Jorgensen, who was signed earlier in the window from Villarreal for £20.7 million.

Penders’ signing reflects Chelsea’s long-term strategy, as the 17-year-old is viewed as a promising talent for the future. With Robert Sanchez currently the first-choice goalkeeper in the league under Enzo Maresca, and Filip Jorgensen handling cup games, the arrival of Penders is part of a broader plan to secure Chelsea’s goalkeeping future well into the next decade.