Arsenal confirm first summer signing with £27m deal

Arsenal have confirmed the permanent signing of goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford on a long-term contract.

The Spaniard joined on loan from Brentford last summer and quickly displaced former starter Aaron Ramsdale, who is expected to consider his future at the club this summer, with a permanent transfer long seen as a formality.

Confirming his £27m switch to the Emirates Stadium, 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."

Manager 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."

"We are so happy to have completed the deal to sign David from Brentford," sporting director Edu continued.

"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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