Post by jockcas on Jun 22, 2013 13:51:52 GMT
Chelsea's Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will remain at Atletico Madrid on loan for a third season, the La Liga club said today.
The 21-year-old, who won Spain's "Zamora" trophy for conceding the fewest goals in the top flight last season, said he had wanted to stay on to compete with the Spanish side in the Champions League next season.
He has made 98 appearances for Atletico, helping them win the Europa League in 2012, the European Super Cup, when they beat Chelsea in the final, and last season's King's Cup.
Courtois, who was signed by Chelsea from Genk for £7million in 2011, has yet to make an appearance for the Blues but is highly regarded at the club and Standard Sport reported earlier this year that it will take an offer in excess of £20million to prise him away.
"I'm very happy because it's what I was wanting," he said today.
"I've always said that next season I wanted to continue at Atletico and compete in a competition as important as the Champions League, having achieved qualification in such a brilliant way.
"I've only thought about continuing to enjoy the incredible fans that we have and I hope that we can continue giving them plenty of joy."
Atletico sporting director Jose Luis Perez Caminero said the club had prioritised securing the services of Courtois for another year.
"The continuity of Thibaut was one of our priorities for this season," he said.
"We are very pleased to have him for another year. He has played almost every game and given us great confidence in his abilities.
"He had said he wanted to stay here so this gives everybody joy."