David Raya signs £27m permanent deal with Arsenal

Arsenal confirm David Raya signs permanent contract at Emirates in deal believed to be worth £27m



David Raya signs £27m permanent deal with Arsenal

Arsenal's No1: David Raya. CREDIT: OFFSIDE


Arsenal have confirmed they have signed David Raya in a permanent deal. 

The Gunners have activated the £27m option to buy the Brentford goalkeeper after his season-long loan spell at the Emirates last term.

On making his move permanent, Raya 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 and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year.”

Raya, 28, kept 16 Premier League clean sheets for the Gunners to win last season's Golden Glove, conceding just 16 league goals in the campaign after taking over the No1 spot from previous incumbent Aaron Ramsdale. 

After an underwhelming start to his Arsenal career Raya blossomed as the Gunners ended runners-up to billionaire moneybags Manchester City.

Raya also saved two penalties as Arsenal beat Porto in a shootout to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League, to dismiss any lingering doubts about his position as No1.

Arsenal boss 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.”

 

Last week Raya impressed by keeping a clean sheet in his Euro 2024 appearance against Albania but still remains behind first-choice goalkeeper Unai Simon.

Sporting Director Edu added: “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.

“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.”


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