Arsenal have secured the signing of 18-year-old goalkeeper Tommy Setford just in time for their pre-season tour in the United States.
Setford, previously with Ajax and nearing the end of his contract, was sold to Arsenal for approximately £1 million after declining to extend his stay in the Netherlands.
Arsenal announced Setford’s acquisition on Sunday morning, with academy manager Per Mertersacker expressing his enthusiasm, “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.”
Setford, excited about his new opportunity, promised to make an immediate impact at Arsenal.
“I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity,” he 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.”
Catch more insights on this transfer in The Chronicles of a Gooner – the Arsenal podcast, where Harry Symeou discusses the potential signing of Riccardo Calafiori.
Setford will join the squad as they depart late Sunday for their pre-season match against Bournemouth on Wednesday.
Arsenal’s pre-season schedule in North America also includes matches against Manchester United and Liverpool, culminating in an Emirates Cup fixture against Lyon back home, as they gear up for the upcoming Premier League season.
Following a commendable 2023/24 season where they finished second to Manchester City with 89 points, Arsenal aims to clinch the title this year.
Setford’s addition enhances a goalkeeping lineup featuring David Raya, Aaron Ramsdale, and Karl Hein.
Hein is expected to be the primary goalkeeper during the tour, with Raya and Ramsdale still on vacation post-Euro 2024 with Spain and England, respectively.
Arsenal may soon see the arrival of another player, Riccardo Calafiori, who is nearing a £38 million move from Bologna.
The Italian defender, capable of playing both centre-back and left-back, impressed at Euro 2024 and helped Bologna secure a spot in the Champions League.
Calafiori has agreed to a five-year deal with Arsenal, pending final negotiations between Bologna and his former club Basel regarding a sell-on clause.
