Arsenal sign David Raya permanently for £27m after his fruitful loan spell at the Emirates last season… as the club triggers option to buy their new No 1 goalkeeper from Brentford
- The goalkeeper played 41 games for the club in all competitions last season
- Mikel Arteta has praised him as an ‘important player’ and a leader in his squad
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Arsenal have activated the option to sign David Raya from Brentford on a long-term deal worth £27million.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who was on loan last season, made 41 appearances for the Gunners in all competitions, keeping 20 clean sheets.
He won the Premier League Golden Glove Award, with 16 shutouts in the competition, to cap off a successful campaign. One such highlight saw him save two penalties in the Champions League final against Porto, sending his team to the quarter-finals for the first time in 14 years.
The 28-year-old took over Aaron Ramsdale’s No.1 position in September and hasn’t looked back since, currently with Spain at the European Championships.
Speaking about making his transfer permanent, Raya said: ‘After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I am an Arsenal player for the next few years.
Arsenal have activated the option to sign David Raya from Brentford on a long-term deal
The Spanish goalkeeper, who was on loan last season, played 41 games and impressed
‘I’m curious about what the future will bring, but I mainly live and enjoy the present.
“It’s a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the past year.”
Mikel Arteta said: ‘David showed us last season how important he is to us, so we are happy that he is now officially our player.
‘He is an important presence in our dressing room and we are very pleased to continue working with him.
Raya, Mikel Arteta’s new No.1, described his stay at the Emirates as a ‘dream come true’
‘We know he will continue the strong foundation he laid last season and build on it in the years to come, and that he will be even more successful with us.
“We have a very talented goalkeeping group and I love seeing such connections within our goalkeeping team.”
