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Robert Green: Chelsea sign ex-England goalkeeper on a free transfer

Last updated on .From the section Chelseacomments237

Robert Green signing a Chelsea contract
Robert Green has 12 England caps and played in the 2010 World Cup

Chelsea have signed former England goalkeeper Robert Green on a one-year deal.

The 38-year-old joins on a free transfer after being released by Huddersfield, where he did not make a first-team appearance last season.

Green has played over 650 games for Norwich, West Ham, QPR and Leeds and has 12 England caps.

Chelsea say he will provide back-up to Thibaut Courtois and Willy Caballero at Stamford Bridge.

"It has been a whirlwind 24 hours," Green told Chelsea's official website.external-link

"You are thinking about your career and where you want to go and then you get a phone call like this - and it is a short conversation.

"It has been a pretty dramatic time for me and it is a thrill and an honour to be here."

Robert Green on Twitter: "It's been a crazy few days but I am incredibly excited to have joined one of the biggest clubs in world football."

Green did not play for Huddersfield last season and featured once for Leeds United in a 5-1 victory over Newport County in the Carabao Cup in August.

However, he did play every minute of the previous season's Championship campaign with the Elland Road side.

He becomes Chelsea's second summer signing after Italy midfielder Jorginho followed new boss Maurizio Sarri to Stamford Bridge from Napoli.

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237 comments

  • Comment posted by Ed Shobnall, at 08:43 26 Jul 2018

    It is preferable for a 38 year old keeper sat on the bench not playing than a promising youngster who's development will stall by lack of playing time. It's better to send the youngster out on loan to gain experience.

  • Comment posted by Kiwi, at 08:39 26 Jul 2018

    The comments on here haha!

    Chelsea (and United) have simply brought in two older English keepers who are on the cusp of retirement to fulfill their homegrown quota status. That's all.

    Why would either team want to fill their 3rd choice keeper spots with youth players? Some people!

    Smart signings by all accounts.

  • Comment posted by JP-Julio-Eugenio-Cal, at 08:25 26 Jul 2018

    Fair play to the guy, good servant to the club's he's been at. Wont play much but another season where he'll pick up a wage, got to prolong the career before retirement kicks in. Also might open the odd coaching door for him.

  • Comment posted by Phil Deggers, at 08:38 26 Jul 2018

    Over 650 games, several in the top flight, yet this article has a photo of his most high profile mistake at the top of it.

    Is it really any surprise so many talented English keepers seem to drop in form when they know they’re treading on eggshells any time they step onto the pitch?

  • Comment posted by Voice of reason, at 08:30 26 Jul 2018

    If you don’t realise this is to ensure they meet the minimum home grown player requirement youre an idiot.

    United did the same with lee grant.

  • Comment posted by Arsenal42, at 09:02 26 Jul 2018

    Disagree with other commentors. Why have a young goalkeeper as 3rd choice? Let them go out on loan to get some proper match experience instead of wasting their career on the training ground.

  • Comment posted by Largewomble, at 09:04 26 Jul 2018

    homegrown player, someone who won't embarrass themselves in an injury crisis and not a youth player going stale through lack of playing time. Makes sense

  • Comment posted by SWDC, at 08:24 26 Jul 2018

    Sad that with all their millions pumped into youth development that PL teams cannot find or have confidence in a 3rd choice keeper from within their own structures.
    Is Robert Green really a better option than an ambitious, enthusiastic, talented young keeper?
    Totally sums up the PL clubs and the way they operate to the detriment of young home grown talent.

  • Comment posted by Tommy_Toe_Punt, at 09:14 26 Jul 2018

    @Arsenal42

    Bang on. 3rd spot is perfect for a GK approaching retirement. Probably will only play 1-2 games, and gets some coin in the back pocket whilst helping younger players.

    GK's in their early 20's should be out on loan at League one/two clubs gaining vital experience.

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 09:13 26 Jul 2018

    Anyone else secretly hoping both teams have a goalkeeping crisis before the Chelsea v Man U match so that we see Rob Green against Lee Grant?

  • Comment posted by crw1990, at 09:05 26 Jul 2018

    Eduardo didn't play a single game for Chelsea last year as third choice keeper. Are people on here genuinely suggesting that a young, talented English keeper should fulfil this role? I'm sure that would do wonders for their progression. Green is a very sensible choice.

  • Comment posted by JackieC, at 08:59 26 Jul 2018

    He'll be second choice when Courtois moves to Real Madrid.

  • Comment posted by Podgeseda, at 08:21 26 Jul 2018

    Apparently they went in for Shilton but he wouldn't lower his standards for this shower

  • Comment posted by 50yearson, at 09:17 26 Jul 2018

    34. adilimam

    Rob green joins Chelsea on a free...
    Alisson joins Liverpool for 70M....

    Shows shrewd transfer dealings or realisation that Chelsea won't win anything this year with Hazard, Coutouis and Willian all leaving...

    I would rather have Green as third choice than Karius as second.

    When did Liverpool last win a trophy Remind me

  • Comment posted by DaveTheRed7, at 08:50 26 Jul 2018

    Non Chelsea fan here. He is 3rd choice and therefore their emergency keeper. I don't see him playing in any cups games unless Couts is injured so they won't risk Willy. If you don't have a backup keeper then you are asking for trouble. Need some cover for the main 2. Short term cover and quite normal. I assume they have youth that is going on loan (for games) rather that sat on bench as 3rd keeper

  • Comment posted by SportGuru, at 08:40 26 Jul 2018

    How often do third-choice keepers get a game anyway? League Cup, early round of FA Cup if lower opposition, he makaes up a quota, he’s capable and grateful. And cheap, minimum wage plus bonus....

  • Comment posted by User0487850496, at 10:41 26 Jul 2018

    I'd echo the comments made in 32. I think a few clubs in England now are starting to see the wisdom of having wise old heads as 3rd choice whilst giving their youngsters experience and game time on loan. The likes of Rob Green have been around long enough to know how the game works without playing 90 mins every week.

    Italian clubs have done this for decades and most of their GK's are quality.

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 11:43 26 Jul 2018

    @65 "...He could not even get a game for Leeds last season..."

    That's because he moved to Huddersfield.

  • Comment posted by Bluenose Pixie, at 11:47 26 Jul 2018

    I bet Joe Hart is as sick as a parrot

  • Comment posted by Mordor Tourism Board, at 11:30 26 Jul 2018

    A nice little earner towards the end of his career. He will get paid to train and prepare for matches. He might not get a game but that might allow him to pursue coaching qualifications if he wanted to.

    I think this is what they call landing on your feet.

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