Brentford goalkeeper David Raya has been signed by Arsenal
Spanish goalkeeper David Raya has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan from Brentford with the possibility of a permanent transfer.
Raya, 27, has chosen to wear number 22 and will compete with England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
In order to expedite the transaction, he also agreed to a new two-year contract with Brentford.
“I’m over the moon to be able to take this challenge in my career and make the step up,” Raya said.
Brentford director of football Phil Giles explained Raya’s contract extension was a “fall-back position” in the event that the transfer did not become permanent but said he was “not expecting to see Raya back at Brentford”.
“I’m sure the first question that all Brentford fans will ask is why this transfer has been structured as an initial loan with Arsenal having the option to make it permanent in the future,” Giles told Brentford’s website.
“The answer to that is simply that it enables this deal to be done more rapidly between both clubs, with all parties wanting to make this a permanent transfer as soon as practically possible, whenever that might be.”
