Arsenal Confirms Signing Of Goalkeeper Tommy Setford From Ajax
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of young goalkeeper Tommy Setford from Ajax for just under £1 million. The 20-year-old England youth international has joined the Gunners on a four-year contract, with an option to extend for another year. Setford had one year left on his Ajax contract, prompting the Dutch club to sell him rather than risk losing him for free next year.
Setford will primarily play for Arsenal's academy but will also train regularly with the first team. He is set to join Mikel Arteta's squad for their pre-season tour in the United States. The young goalkeeper chose Arsenal due to the clear pathway to first-team opportunities in the Premier League.
This transfer window, Setford is Arsenal's second teenage goalkeeper acquisition, following Lucas Nygaard from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland. During the 2023-24 season, Setford kept six clean sheets in 15 appearances for Ajax, conceding 15 goals during that period.
Expressing his excitement about joining Arsenal, Setford said on the club’s official website, "I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity. I can't wait to hit the ground running." He added that he already knows Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly from previous camps and looks forward to working with them again.
Setford emphasised the importance of getting acquainted with his new teammates and settling into the group dynamics. "For the short term, it's very important now to get a feel for the group and start to know everyone," he stated.
The young goalkeeper is eager to learn new things and push himself to another level next season. His arrival at Arsenal marks a significant step in his career as he aims to make an impact both in training and on match days.
Tommy Setford is a Gunner! We are delighted to announce the signing of the English youth international goalkeeper to our academy @ArsenalAcademy July 21, 2024
Setford's move highlights Arsenal's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for growth within their ranks. As he integrates into his new environment, fans will be keenly watching his progress and contributions.
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