Arsenal has officially announced the signing of Tommy Setford, an 18-year-old goalkeeper from Ajax, on a long-term contract for a fee of under £1 million.
Setford, a highly regarded young goalkeeper, has represented England at various youth levels and has been called up to the Under-20s squad.
He joins Arsenal after leaving Ajax, a club known for its development of young talent, where he played in the UEFA Youth League and for their Under-18s team.
Setford is excited to join Arsenal and is looking forward to learning new things and pushing himself to another level.
He has already met with some of his new teammates, including Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, and is eager to get to know everyone in the squad.
Setford also expressed his gratitude to Ajax, where he spent over 10 years, and thanked the club for the memories and experiences he gained.
This signing is a significant addition to Arsenal’s youth squad, and Setford is expected to fill the gap left by the departure of five goalkeepers at the end of last month.
He is the second young goalkeeper to join Arsenal this summer, following Lucas Nygaard.
Setford’s arrival demonstrates Arsenal’s commitment to developing young talent and providing opportunities for promising players to grow and develop.
In a statement, Setford said, “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, saying, “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.”
Overall, the signing of Tommy Setford is an exciting development for Arsenal’s youth squad, and fans will be eager to see him in action in the coming season.
