Source: Team_Talk
Blues capture keeper Courtois
Chelsea have agreed to sign teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on a five-year deal from Genk, the Belgian champions have announced.[LNB] Reports suggest that the Stamford Bridge outfit have invested €9million (£7.9million) to land the well-regarded 19-year-old.[LNB]Courtois, who has been compared to former Manchester United shot-stopper Edwin van der Sar, has been earning rave reviews for his performances in Belgium.[LNB]Genk admitted that they had little option but to let their last line of defence depart once the Blues made their intentions plain with a substantial bid.[LNB]"We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave," Genk director Dirk Degraen told a press conference.[LNB]"But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer."[LNB]Courtois, who has already been capped by his country despite his age, was under contract in his homeland until 2014 and does not expect immediate first-team action in West London.[LNB]"Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech," he admitted recently.[LNB]"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."[LNB]Andre Villas-Boas said: "There is an agreement between the two clubs.[LNB]"It is also subject to personal agreements and from then we will decide what is best for him."[LNB]Asked whether Courtois could challenge for a first-team spot this season, Villas-Boas added: "Let's wait for him to agree terms.[LNB]"It seems unfair for me to make any comment on him but as soon as he is a Chelsea player we will see what kind of future he has."[LNB]Courtois, 19, is a 6ft 6ins goalkeeper who was first choice for Genk as they won Belgium's top division, the Jupiler League, last season.
