Courtois loaned to Atletico for another season

Thibaut Courtois.

Belgian international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois will spend a third season on loan at Atletico Madrid after the Spanish side announced they had reached an agreement with his parent club Chelsea.

“Thibaut Courtois will return to Atletico Madrid next season after an agreement was reached between our club and Chelsea for him to play on loan for another year,” said a statement on Atletico’s website on Saturday.

Courtois has played 98 times during his previous two seasons with Atletico and was instrumental as they lifted the Copa del Rey this season and the Europa League in 2011/12.

The 21-year-old also won the Zamora award for the goalkeeper that conceded the fewest number of goals in La Liga this season as he was beaten just 29 times in 37 league appearances.

And he is looking forward to a new challenge with Atletico as they also qualified for the Champions League for the first time in four years this season.

“I am very happy because it was what I wanted,” he said.

“I have always said that I wanted to continue at Atletico next season and take part in such an important competition as the Champions League after we qualified for it in such a brilliant way.

“I am only thinking about continuing to enjoy the incredible support that we have and I hope we can continue to bring them a lot of happiness.”