Arsenal's significant summer of change in the goalkeeping department has continued with the arrival of 18-year-old England youth international Tommy Setford from Ajax.
The 2006-born protege arrives at the Emirates on a four-year deal until the end of the 2027-28 campaign, and his contract is also believed to include an option for an additional year.
Arsenal have reportedly paid under £1m to prise Setford away from Ajax, whom he joined as an Under-8s player alongside his brother and fellow goalkeeper Charlie Setford.
The teenager will join Arsenal's academy ranks for the 2024-25 season rather than jumping straight into the first-team picture, although he will train with Mikel Arteta's side straight away.
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.
Tommy Setford is a Gunner ❤️
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) July 21, 2024
We are delighted to announce the signing of the English youth international goalkeeper to our academy ✍️
Setford reveals connection with two Arsenal academy products
"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 - who is expected to join Arteta's side for their pre-season tour of the USA - expressed his gratitude to the Gunners for taking a chance on him and revealed that he is already close with two of his future teammates, Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, thanks to their time together in the England setup.
"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 the Haarlem-born shot-stopper made 33 appearances for their Under-18s side, keeping 14 clean sheets and also earning European experience in the UEFA Youth League.
© Reuters
Setford also made the bench for Ajax's Under-21s - whom his brother plays for - and he has represented England from Under-16 to Under-19 level, playing at both the Under-17 Euros and World Cup last year.
The teenager was called up to England's Under-20s squad for the first time in June, although he was an unused substitute in friendly clashes with Sweden and the Republic of Ireland.
What next for Arsenal in the transfer market?
Following Setford's arrival in North London, the Gunners are now aiming to close a deal for Bologna centre-back Riccardo Calafiori, whom they have apparently agreed a €45m (£37.9m) deal for.
Arsenal have seemingly put their plans to sign a number nine on ice, but a new senior goalkeeper will also be targeted if Aaron Ramsdale leaves, and Arteta is also hoping to bring a new midfielder to the Emirates before the start of the new season.
The Gunners overcame Leyton Orient 2-0 in a training-ground friendly on Saturday and face Bournemouth in the first game of their USA tour on Wednesday.
Ben Knapton
