Chelsea signing of Genk keeper Courtois confirmed

Belgian champions Genk have reluctantly agreed to sell teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea on a five-year deal.


Reports suggest the Blues have splashed out £7.9million to land the well-regarded 19-year-old.

Thibaut Courtois

And Genk admitted they had little option but to let him leave once the Blues made their intentions plain with a substantial bid.


"We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave," Genk director Dirk Degraen told a press conference.


"But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer."


Courtois does not expect immediate first-team action in west London.


"Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech," he admitted recently.


"It won't happen in one or two years, but in three, four or five years. I can therefore work on my development in peace."