Chelsea have agreed to sign highly-rated teenage goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois on a five-year deal from Genk, the Belgian champions have announced.

Reports suggest that the Stamford Bridge outfit have invested €9million (£7.9million) to land the well-regarded 19-year-old.

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.

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.

Enormous offer

"We received an enormous offer that gave us no choice but to let our goalkeeper leave," Genk director Dirk Degraen told a press conference.

"But I have mixed feelings about this transfer. Genk wanted Thibaut to stay a bit longer."

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.

"Chelsea see me as the successor to Petr Cech," he admitted recently.

"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."