Arsenal have turned the loan signing of David Raya into a permanent transfer, signing what the club have described as a "long-term deal". The 28-year-old Spaniard joined the Gunners on a season-long loan from Brentford last August and made 32 Premier League appearances, as Arsenal narrowly missed out on the title to Manchester City. After producing 16 clean sheets in 2023/24, Raya claimed the Castrol Golden Glove award for the first time in his career. Raya becomes Arsenal’s second signing of the summer, after 18-year-old 'keeper Lucas Nygaard arrived from FC Nordsjaelland.
David Raya, here to stay 👊It’s official: last season’s Golden Glove winner has signed a permanent deal at The Arsenal ❤️ — Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 4, 2024
“After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I’m an Arsenal player for the coming years," Raya told the official club website. "I’m excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present." 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." A Blackburn Rovers Academy graduate, Raya was instrumental in Brentford's promotion to the Premier League three years ago and impressed in their first two seasons in the top-flight. Raya is currently on international duty with Spain at UEFA Euro 2024, where he has played once and helped them to reach the quarter-finals.
Arsenal's first pre-season fixture is against AFC Bournemouth on 24 July and they start their Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 17 August.
See: Summer 2024 transfers & news