Arsenal has confirmed the signing of Tommy Setford from Ajax. The young English goalkeeper has agreed to a long-term contract, with the transfer fee reportedly under £1 million, according to football.london.
Setford has represented England at multiple youth levels, including the Under-16s, Under-17s, Under-18s, and Under-19s, and has even been called up to the Under-20 squad.
He is highly regarded as a modern goalkeeper and was convinced to join Arsenal by the club’s clear development plan, despite Ajax’s strong reputation for nurturing young talent.
While at Ajax, Setford played in the UEFA Youth League and at the Under-18 level, and he made the bench for their Under-21 team on several occasions.
His move to Arsenal comes as the club seeks to replace five goalkeepers who left at the end of the previous month. Setford is Arsenal’s second young goalkeeper signing this summer, following the arrival of Lucas Nygaard.
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, 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’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.”
In a farewell message to Ajax on Instagram, Setford wrote, “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.”
Setford’s acquisition is part of Arsenal’s strategy to invest in promising young talent. He has shown significant potential through his performances at various youth levels for England and during his time at Ajax.
His experience in the UEFA Youth League and involvement with the Under-18 and Under-21 teams at Ajax have prepared him well for this significant step in his career.
Joining Arsenal represents a new chapter for Setford, who is eager to integrate with the team and continue his development. His familiarity with some of the current Arsenal players, like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, is expected to help him settle in quickly.
The recent turnover in Arsenal’s goalkeeping department, with five departures last month, highlights the importance of Setford’s and Nygaard’s additions.
Their signings reflect Arsenal’s commitment to rebuilding and strengthening this area with young, talented players. Setford’s modern goalkeeping skills and potential make him a valuable asset for the club’s future.
Setford’s journey at Ajax has equipped him with the skills and experience necessary to thrive at Arsenal. As he embarks on this new adventure, he is eager to develop further and contribute to the team’s success.
His move underscores Arsenal’s dedication to nurturing young talent and building a strong foundation for the future. With Setford on board, Arsenal aims to maintain its tradition of developing top-quality goalkeepers who can compete at the highest levels of football.
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