Arsenal confirm signing of teenage goalkeeper in bargain transfer

Tommy Setford will join Arsenal’s academy ranks for the 2024-25 season.

Arsenal are in the search for a backup goalkeeping option and they have joined hands with the 18-year-old Tommy Setford from Ajax. England youth international arrives at the Emirates on a four-year deal until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.

The 2006-born protege’s contract is also believed to include an option for an additional year. The Gunners have paid under £1m to get Setford away from Ajax.

The 18-year-old will join Arsenal’s academy ranks for the 2024-25 season. The teenager will not jump straight into the first-team picture.

Arsenal academy manager and former defender Per Mertesacker told the Gunners’ website: “We welcome Tommy to Arsenal. He is a young goalkeeper with big potential and we look forward to supporting his development in the coming years.

“The first step on Tommy’s development pathway with us will be to integrate into our under-21s academy group and train regularly with our first team goalkeeping group.”

“I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity. I can’t wait to hit the ground running,” the goalkeeper said.

“I already know Ethan [Nwnaeri] and Myles [Lewis-Skelly]. They’re great guys and I can have a good laugh with them. I spent a few camps with them, so I know them well. I just saw them for a quick meet and greet!

“I’m looking forward to learning new things next season and pushing myself to another level. For the short term, it’s very important now to get a feel for the group and start to know everyone.”

Setford never made his first-team debut for Ajax, but made 33 appearances for their Under-18s side, keeping 14 clean sheets and also earning European experience in the UEFA Youth League.

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