Chelsea have confirmed the departure of veteran goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli to Manchester City this summer. The 33-year-old has joined Pep Guardiola's side ahead of the Club World Cup.
Bettinelli played once for the Chelsea first team over four seasons at Stamford Bridge. He acted as the third choice after moving from Fulham on a free in 2021.
The 33-year-old was once on England's radar as a youngster and made his name in the Championship with Fulham and then Middlesbrough. His only appearance for Chelsea came in a 5-1 win over Chesterfield Town in the 2022 FA Cup third round under Thomas Tuchel.
Bettinelli has been a popular member of the Chelsea squad throughout his time at the club and formed part of the 'coffee club' at Cobham. His exit follows on from a trio of young goalkeepers who will come to the end of their contract on June 30.
Chelsea released their retained list on Monday with the news that Lucas Bergstrom, Eddie Beach, and Luke Campbell would all be moving on. Dylan Williams has also left and will join Burton Albion on a permanent transfer.
Bettinelli's move is more of a surprise. He had been the firm backup for Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen under Enzo Maresca last season. He acts as a helping hand during training and a model professional.
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He will now team up with Guardiola and a new-look City backroom team during their squad rebuild. Bettinelli will travel to America for the Club World Cup with City and replaces Scott Carson, who has left.
Part of Bettinelli's value is being homegrown. He is also thought to be keen on advancing his coaching career into the future and now has the chance to work closely with Guardiola, which is an opportunity that many have taken before him.
Speaking in City's announcement, Bettinelli said: “It’s an honour to sign for City. I have admired from afar what this Club have achieved since Pep Guardiola arrived and now I am excited to be a part of building on that success.
“I can’t wait to work with Guardiola, Xabi Mancisidor and the excellent goalkeepers already here and see their methods up close. Hopefully I can contribute in training, the dressing room and on the pitch as we look to win more silverware over the next year.”
City's new director of football, Hugo Viana, added: “We’re really pleased that we’ll be adding Marcus to our squad this summer. He’s been in the Premier League for a long time and will bolster what is already a strong goalkeeping unit.
“His experience and mentality will hopefully complement our other senior goalkeepers while ensuring he’s always ready to perform when called upon himself.” Chelsea wished Bettinelli well after the move and did not stand in his way.
Meanwhile, Chelsea will not be signing Mike Maignan from Milan before the 7pm deadline on Tuesday, June 10,football.london understands. The two clubs remain too far apart in valuations over the Frenchman.
Chelsea will take Djordje Petrovic and teenage goalkeeper Mike Penders to the Club World Cup for Maresca to assess. Petrovic is expected to challenge Sanchez for the No.1 spot whilst Penders is being lined up for a loan to aid his development.