Chelsea and Atletico Madrid have reportedly come to an agreement that will see highly-rated goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remain with the Spanish club for a third consecutive season.

The Belgian international has enjoyed two excellent campaigns at the Vincente Calderon, winning the Europa League in his first season with the club and having helped the club achieve Champions League qualification this year.

The 21-year-old is also likely to scoop Spain's coveted Zamora award, a prize bestowed upon the goalkeeper who has conceded the least goals in the league.

Chelsea signed Courtois from Belgian club Genk in the summer of 2011, but has yet to make his debut for the Blues. Atletico are keen to hold onto the shot stopper, and reports from El Mundo Deportivo suggests the two clubs have agreed a deal that will see Courtois remain in Madrid next season.

Thibaut Courtois
Chelsea loanee Courtois will stay at Atletico Madrid for next season, reports suggest. (Reuters)

Despite Petr Cech still holding the number one shirt at Stamford Bridge, Courtois recently said he would be open to a return to south west London.

But according to the report, the Belgian, who is contracted to Chelsea until 2016, will be expected to sign an extension to his current Blues deal, before another loan switch to Atletico can be ratified.

Such a deal would appear to suit all parties involved. Atletico Madrid retain the services of one of Europe's brightest goalkeeping talents for another season, a particularly important factor with the club preparing for Champions League football for the first time since 2009.

Courtois will carry on gaining experience at the highest level where his position as the club's number one custodian is undisputed, something of particular importance to the young goalkeeper with the World Cup 2014 on the horizon.

While Chelsea themselves can sit back and watch the highly rated 'keeper nurture even further, safe with the knowledge that is future at Stamford Bridge has been secured.

Diego Simeone's side confirmed their presence in the next year's Champions League following Saturday's 0-0 draw with Deportivo de la Coruna.

In what has been a hugely successful domestic campaign for Atletico, the club comfortably boast the best defensive record, having let just 27 goals past them through the season, a better record than those of Barcelona (37) and Real Madrid (34).

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