18yo explains how his Arsenal move from Ajax happened | OneFootball

18-year-old Tommy Setford became Arsenal‘s first signing of the summer on July 21, 2024.

Despite his young age, Setford arrived at the club with a stellar reputation, having starred for Ajax’s youth teams and represented England at various junior levels.

However, Setford’s move to Arsenal marked a new chapter in his life, as it was the first time he had ever lived in England. Reflecting on his upbringing in the Netherlands, Setford shared, “I grew up in a neighbourhood called Bennebroek, about 15 minutes from Haarlem and half an hour from Amsterdam. I first got into football because of my older brother, Charlie. He was really into it and, like most younger siblings, I just copied what he was doing. That’s how my football journey began.”

Charlie’s admiration for Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg inspired Tommy to become a keeper as well. “Naturally, since my brother wanted to be like Stekelenburg, I wanted to follow in his footsteps too,” Setford explained.

Despite briefly trying to play outfield, Setford knew from the start that goalkeeping was his calling. “When I started playing when I was about five or six, I tried playing outfield, but I always ended up in goal because we’d do penalties at the end of every session, and I was good at saving them.”

Tommy Setford playing for the England youth teams (Photo via Setford on Instagram)

From Ajax to Arsenal: The move to north London

Setford’s career began at local club SV BSM, but his talents were quickly spotted by Ajax, the biggest club in the Netherlands. “My brother and I went to a talent showcase day, and Ajax scouted both of us,” Setford recalled. “They wanted Charlie, and while they showed interest in me as well, I was too young. When I turned seven, I was old enough, and I joined Ajax – the biggest club in Holland, which was incredible.”

After more than a decade at Ajax, Setford’s move to Arsenal came quickly. “It came about around three to four months ago. I was told Arsenal were interested and, soon after, one of the scouts flew to Amsterdam to meet me. We talked for about two hours about the club and their plans for me.”

His decision was made after visiting Arsenal’s training ground and meeting the academy’s goalkeeping coaches. “From that moment, I had a really good feeling. I knew in my heart that Arsenal was the right move for me. I wanted to take the next step in my career, and I believed Arsenal would be the perfect place for me to develop further.”

Adjusting to life at Arsenal

While the move was exciting, Setford admits that the transition wasn’t easy. “Honestly, the first month at Arsenal was one of the toughest periods of my career. The intensity of the training and learning the principles of goalkeeping here was a lot to take in. I had to adapt quickly, but now I’m getting the hang of it.”

His experience on Arsenal’s pre-season US tour was an eye-opener. “Going on the US tour with the first team was an amazing experience. I’d never been on a tour with Ajax, so it was all new to me. The first-team players and staff were very welcoming, which made it easier for us younger players such as Ethan Nwaneri, Josh Nicholls, and Ayden Heaven to feel comfortable.”

Learning from the best

Setford is also relishing the chance to learn from senior Arsenal goalkeepers like David Raya. “David’s standout qualities are his consistency – he rarely makes mistakes and is always fully focused. His reactions are lightning quick, and his intensity in training and matches is top-notch.”

A bright future at Arsenal

Reflecting on his first appearance as part of the squad for a Premier League match against Brighton, Setford described the moment as “unbelievable.”

“A year ago, I was still playing at the Ajax Academy, and now I was the second-choice keeper for a Premier League game at Arsenal – it’s crazy to think about.”

As Setford continues his development, his goals remain clear: “My main goal is to play as many games as I can for the Under-21s and have a consistent season. If I get more opportunities with the first team, I want to prove myself on the big stage and show the coaches and fans that I’m ready for Premier League football.”