OFFICIAL DONE DEAL✅✅: “It’s a Dream Come True” Arsenal Officially Announce the Signing of World-Class Goalkeeper for £50M
David Raya has expressed that it is a “dream come true” after Arsenal confirmed his permanent transfer from Brentford.
The 28-year-old initially joined Arsenal on loan last summer and made 41 appearances for Mikel Arteta’s team, taking over as the club’s No.1 goalkeeper from Aaron Ramsdale. Following a successful first season, Raya has now signed with Arsenal permanently in a deal valued at £27 million.
Arsenal announced the move on Wednesday, and Raya is looking forward to his future with the club. Upon finalizing his transfer, Raya stated, “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 given me throughout the last year.”
Currently with Spain at Euro 2024, Raya had an impressive season with Arsenal, winning the 2023/24 Premier League Golden Glove by keeping 16 clean sheets and conceding only 24 goals, contributing to the league’s best defensive record statistically.
With Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championships, set to play Germany on Friday, Raya will likely rejoin his Arsenal teammates at the end of July after a well-deserved rest.
The Gunners will travel to the United States on July 21, with matches scheduled against Bournemouth, Manchester United, and Liverpool. These games will help Arteta refine his strategies ahead of further fixtures against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon at Emirates Stadium on August 7 and 11, respectively.
Arteta was eager to finalize Raya’s transfer early, expressing in May his preference for early signings. “That’s the ideal scenario,” he said when asked if Arsenal hoped to complete their business early in the window. “Every club wants that, we want that as coaches and for the players especially. Then for the team and for the environment. When you do that something clicks there, and it’s really important because it starts to give you momentum.”
The timing of the Euros and Copa America has complicated transfers, a challenge Arteta acknowledged. “But there are Euros this season and Copa America, so it might be a different summer,” he added.