EPL: Arsenal Complete Signing Of Brentford Goalkeeper David Raya

Arsenal have signed Spanish goalkeeper David Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford with the option to make the move permanent.
Raya, 27, will provide competition for England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and has taken the number 22 shirt.

He has also signed a new two-year contract with Brentford to ensure the deal could be completed quickly.

“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.”