By Victor Kanayo
Arsenal have secured the services of Brentford goalkeeper David Raya on a season long loan.
The move, according to the club, comes with an option for a permanent deal.
Before heading to Arsenal, Brendford confirmed that Raya signed a new two-year contract with Brentford, with a club option for an additional 12 months.
Club Exploits
David, a Spanish international has been an integral part of the Bees’ team in recent seasons, and played in all 38 of their Premier League matches last season.
Born in Barcelona, Raya came to England at 16 years old when he signed for Blackburn Rovers as an academy player.
A short-term loan to Southport in the National League, promotion to the Championship with Rovers and 108 senior appearances later, saw David depart Lancashire for west London in July 2019.
Raya, 27, will provide competition for England keeper Aaron Ramsdale and has taken the number 22 shirt.
He kept 11 Premier League clean sheets last season as the Bees finished ninth.
With 20 clean sheets in 62 Premier League appearances, Raya is second to Joe Crozier (25) for most top-flight shutouts in Brentford history.
Raya At International Stage
Last year came with great success for Raya on the international stage.
He was called up to represent Spain in March 2022, making his debut in a 2-1 win against Albania.
Raya was then selected for Spain’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad.
The end of the 2022/23 season saw David lift silverware with his country, when Spain beat Croatia on penalties to win the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
