Arsenal have signed goalkeeper, David Raya from Brentford in a £27m permanent transfer deal.
Raya joined Arsenal last summer on a season-long loan due to Financial Fair Play concerns for the Gunners, who paid £3m for the loan move with option for a £27m permanent transfer which has been activated following his successful loan stint.
The 28 year-old kept 20 clean sheets in all competitions for Arsenal last season and successfully ousted Aaron Ramsdale as first-choice goalkeeper, which ultimately saw him go on to help the Gunners finish second in the Premier League behind Manchester City.
Raya also became the first Arsenal player to win the Golden Glove award since Petr Cech in 2015-16 season, having kept 16 clean sheets in 32 league appearances.
Addressing his decision to make his stay permanent, Raya commented: “After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years. I’m excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present.
“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.”
Manager, Mikel Arteta added: “David showed us last season what an important player he is for us, so we are delighted he is now officially our player. He is a big presence in our dressing room and we are really pleased to keep working with him.
“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.”
Sporting Director, Edu is “so happy” to complete Raya’s permanent transfer and believes that he can kick on after a strong season on loan at the Emirates Stadium.
“He had a beautiful first season with us, winning the Premier League Golden Glove. He is a talented international, a great professional and a popular figure at the club. We benefited from all of this last season during his loan with us.
“David’s signing is another strong example of our recruitment strategy in action, as we continue to build a team that will challenge for major trophies. We know there’s so much more to come from him and we are excited that he will continue to be a big part of the journey we are all on.”
Brentford’s Director of Football, Phil Giles paid tribute to Raya for earning his deserved permanent transfer to Arsenal.
“Everyone at Brentford knows that David is an outstanding goalkeeper, and he showed it again last season at Arsenal. I’m sure he’ll go on to even more success, and on behalf of everyone at Brentford we wish him well.”
The Spaniard shared a tribute to Brentford on X in which he thanked the club and fans for their support throughout his time in West London.
Thank you ❤️🐝 pic.twitter.com/dThXLVnQ0c
— David Raya Martin (@daviidraya1) July 4, 2024
Raya began his senior career with Blackburn where he initially went out on loan to Southport in the first-half of 2014-15 season, before he went on to keep 32 clean sheets in 108 appearances for Rovers until he left to join Brentford in July 2019.
Whilst in West London, Raya managed 54 clean sheets in 161 appearances during which he helped the Bees claim promotion via 2020-21 Championship Play-Offs.
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