Atletico End Courtois Speculation After Signing Replacement

Atletico Madrid have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Jan Oblak from Benfica to finally put an end to speculations about Thibaut Courtois' return - while adding to Jose Mourinho's dilemma over Petr Cech.

The La Liga champions were very interested in prolonging Courtois' spell in La Liga but Mourinho told them to rethink their plans, revealing his intentions to have him back at Stamford Bridge.

"When the World Cup in Brazil is over, Courtois will be coming straight back to Stamford Bridge – end of story," Mourinho said.

And while Atletico Madrid already completed the signing of keeper Miguel Angel Moya from Getafe earlier last month to replace Dani Aranzubia –who used to be Courtouis' understudy - the club has now confirmed the signing of Oblak on its official website finally ending further speculation about Courtois.

"Atletico Madrid and Benfica have reached an agreement for the transfer of Jan Oblak, pending the medical and the signing of the contract. The Slovenian keeper will commit his future to the club for the next six seasons," Atletico stated.

Oblak, 21, has recently garnered a reputation as one of the most talented young stoppers to emerge from European football in recent years - and had also attracted interest from Real Madrid and Juventus.

Nevertheless, Atletico have won the race to secure his services after agreeing to pay around £12.5m to Benfica for his services.

The signing of the young keeper paves the way for Courtois' expected return to Stamford Bridge, but does little to dampen the brewing rivalry between the highly-talented keeper and Petr Cech, a Chelsea stalwart and considered to be the world's best goalie at some point in his career.

Nevertheless, after Mark Schwarzer recently signed a one-year contract as the back-up keeper at Stamford Brdige Mourinho is expected to sacrifice fans' legend Cech.