‘Dream come true’ – Arsenal confirm permanent signing of Spain goalkeeper David Raya | OneFootball

Arsenal have confirmed that David Raya has joined the club permanently following an initial loan spell at the club.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper spent last season on loan from Brentford and kept 20 clean sheets to win the 2023/24 Premier League Golden Glove.

He said: “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.”

Raya’s route to Arsenal has been far from straight forward. He first moved from Spain to England aged 16 with Blackburn Rovers. His spell there included a brief loan at Southport before he signed for Brentford in the summer of 2019.

His performances for the west London side were crucial in their rise to the Premier League and ultimately led to a move to Arsenal, challenging for trophies and playing for his country.

He helped Spain defeat the Netherlands to lift the 2023 UEFA Nations League and is part of their current squad in Germany.

Arsenal Sporting director Edu said: “We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford.

“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.

“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.”

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.”

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