How Much Did Madrid Pay for Courtois?

By Anna Duncan

On August 8, 2018, Real Madrid announced the signing of Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea FC. The move was one of the most talked-about transfers of the summer, as Courtois was widely regarded as one of the best keepers in the world at the time. But how much did Madrid pay for him?

The Transfer Fee
The transfer fee for Courtois was reportedly €35 million (approximately $40 million USD). This made him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history, behind only Alisson Becker and Ederson Moraes, who were signed by Liverpool and Manchester City respectively.

The Contract
In addition to the transfer fee, Madrid also had to pay Courtois a significant salary. According to reports, he signed a six-year contract worth €10 million ($11.5 million USD) per year. This means that over the course of his contract, he could earn up to €60 million ($69 million USD) in salary alone.

Why Did Madrid Want Him?
Courtois was seen as a key piece in Madrid’s plans to rebuild after a disappointing 2017-18 season. The club had just finished third in La Liga and were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Ajax. Keylor Navas, who had been Madrid’s starting goalkeeper for several years, was also rumored to be on his way out.

Courtois was seen as an upgrade over Navas due to his size and shot-stopping ability. At 6’6″, he is one of the tallest keepers in Europe and is known for his ability to make acrobatic saves. He also has experience playing at the highest level, having won two Premier League titles with Chelsea and reaching the World Cup semi-finals with Belgium.

Conclusion
In conclusion, Real Madrid paid €35 million for Thibaut Courtois, making him one of the most expensive goalkeepers in history. They also had to pay him a significant salary, which could add up to €60 million over the course of his six-year contract. However, Madrid believed that he was worth the investment due to his size and shot-stopping ability, as well as his experience at the highest level of football.