David Raya has joined Arsenal on a long-term deal from Brentford after the club agreed on the £27 million option.
Last August, Raya joined Arsenal on loan and soon became the team’s primary goalkeeper till today.
Raya’s impressive form, which included 16 clean sheets and the Golden Glove award, almost helped Arsenal last season to win their first Premier League title in 20 years.
“After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years,” Raya said. “I’m excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present,” he added.
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He further expressed his appreciation for the support he’s received over the past year as he described his move as a dream come true.
“It’s a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year,” he said.
Before joining Brentford in 2019, Raya made over 100 appearances for Blackburn Rovers.
Also, before Mikel Arteta moved to sign him, Raya established himself as a leading player at Brentford, spending four years at the club under Thomas Frank’s guidance.
Raya’s performances in 41 appearances resulted in 20 clean sheets and two penalty saves against Porto, helping Arsenal reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
On the part of Arsenal’s coach, Mikel Arteta is happy to have signed David as a permanent player.
“David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player,” Arteta said. “He is a big presence in our dressing room and we are pleased to keep working with him,” he added.
He added that he’s confident that David will build upon his previous success, and achieve even more in the future.
“We know he will take the strong foundations he put in place last season and build on them in the years to come, and that he will enjoy more success with us. We have a very talented group of goalkeepers and I love to see connections like the one I see in our goalkeeping unit,” he said.
On August 17, 2024, the Gunners will start their 2024/25 Premier League journey at home, facing Wolves at the Emirate Stadium.
