Arsenal has officially announced the acquisition of Tommy Setford from Ajax.
The young England international has signed a long-term contract with Arsenal for a fee reported to be under £1 million, according to football.london.
Setford has represented England at various youth levels, including the Under-16s, Under-17s, Under-18s, and Under-19s, and has even been called up to the Under-20s squad.
He is highly regarded as a modern goalkeeper. Arsenal presented him with a clear development pathway, persuading him to leave Ajax, a club renowned for its focus on nurturing young talent.
During his time at Ajax, Setford played in the UEFA Youth League and at the Under-18 level, and he even made the bench for their Under-21 team on a few occasions.
He joins Arsenal to fill the gap left by the departure of five goalkeepers at the end of last month.
Setford is the second young goalkeeper to be signed by Arsenal this summer, following the arrival of Lucas Nygaard.
Reflecting on his move, Setford expressed his gratitude, saying, “I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
I already know Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly. They’re great guys, and I can have a good laugh with them. I’ve 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 also posted a farewell message to Ajax on Instagram: “Thank you, Ajax, for more than 10 great years at the most beautiful club in the Netherlands.
I take away with me some wonderful memories. No doubt our paths will cross once again sometime in the future.”
Arsenal’s acquisition of Setford is part of their broader strategy to invest in promising young talent.
Setford has shown great potential through his performances at various youth levels for England and during his time at Ajax.
His experience in the UEFA Youth League and his involvement with the Under-18 and Under-21 teams at Ajax have prepared him for this significant step in his career.
The move to Arsenal represents a new chapter for Setford, who has expressed his excitement about joining the club and integrating with the team.
His familiarity with some of the current Arsenal players, such as Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, will likely help him settle in quickly.
Arsenal’s goalkeeping department had a significant turnover at the end of last month, with five goalkeepers departing.
The addition of Setford and Nygaard signals the club’s intent to rebuild and strengthen this area with young, talented players.
Setford’s modern goalkeeping skills and potential make him a valuable asset for the future.
In his farewell message to Ajax, Setford expressed his gratitude for the time he spent at the club and the memories he made.
His decade-long association with Ajax, a club known for its exceptional youth development, has undoubtedly shaped him into the promising goalkeeper he is today.
Setford’s journey at Ajax has equipped him with the skills and experience needed to thrive at Arsenal.
As Setford embarks on this new adventure with Arsenal, he is eager to develop further and contribute to the team’s success.
His move is a testament to Arsenal’s commitment to nurturing young talent and building a strong foundation for the future.
With Setford on board, Arsenal aims to continue its tradition of developing top-quality goalkeepers who can compete at the highest levels of football.
