Chelsea has secured the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders, who is set to join the club from the start of the 2025/26 season on a contract until 2032. Penders, 19, stands at 6ft7 and has drawn comparisons to Thibaut Courtois, the former Chelsea keeper. He will complete the 2024/25 campaign at Genk before joining his new teammates. With a reported fee of up to £17m, including add-ons, Penders follows in the footsteps of other Genk talents like Kevin De Bruyne.
Genk described the transfer of Mike Penders to Chelsea as a 'dream transfer.' Despite his limited first-team experience, having only played two senior games, his signing is viewed positively. Penders became the third-youngest goalkeeper to debut in Belgium's Jupiler Pro League at 18 years and 363 days, making his potential particularly appealing for Chelsea. His quick transition from a little-known talent to a Chelsea signing highlights the club's focus on nurturing young players.
With this signing, Penders becomes the fifth senior goalkeeper acquired by Chelsea since their takeover by BlueCo in 2022, illustrating the club's strategy to bolster their goalkeeping options. The addition of Penders, alongside other young players like Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez for the upcoming season, reveals Chelsea's ambition to create a formidable young squad. Their proactive efforts in the transfer market underscore a commitment to long-term planning and player development.
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