Arsenal has confirmed the permanent signing of David Raya from Brentford, with the Spanish goalkeeper committing to a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium. Raya, who initially joined Arsenal on loan last summer, quickly established himself as the first-choice goalkeeper, replacing Aaron Ramsdale. The £27 million deal to make Raya’s move permanent has been widely anticipated, solidifying his future with the Gunners.
Reflecting on his new status, Raya expressed his joy, stating, “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 and sporting director praise Raya’s impact
Manager Mikel Arteta praised Raya’s contributions during his loan spell, highlighting his importance to the team. “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 also expressed his satisfaction with securing Raya’s services permanently. “We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford,” Edu remarked. “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.”
Edu emphasized that Raya’s signing aligns with Arsenal’s strategic recruitment approach, aimed at building a team capable of competing for major titles. “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.”
This new chapter for Raya and Arsenal marks a significant step in the club’s ongoing development and ambitions for future success.
