David Raya first words after Arsenal announce summer signing as Mikel Arteta gets transfer wish

David Raya has admitted it is a "dream come true" after Arsenal announced the permanent signing of the goalkeeper from Brentford.

The 28-year-old initially joined the Gunners on loan last summer and went on to make 41 appearances for Mikel Arteta's side, replacing Aaron Ramsdale as the club's No.1. After a successful first season in north London, Raya has now joined Arsenal permanently in a deal worth £27million.

Arsenal confirmed the move on Wednesday and Raya is now looking forward to the years ahead. On making his move permanent, Raya said: "After a year on loan as a Gunner, I can finally say that I'm an Arsenal player for the coming years.

"I'm excited to see what the future holds but always living in and enjoying the present. It's a dream come true to be here and I want to thank you for all the support you have already given me throughout the last year."

Raya, who is currently away with Spain at Euro 2024, impressed in an Arsenal shirt last season and even won the 2023/24 Premier League Golden Glove, keeping 16 clean sheets across the campaign. The Spaniard conceded just 24 goals and was part of the league's best defence statistically.

With Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championships and Luis de la Fuente's side facing Germany on Friday, Raya will most probably link up with his Arsenal teammates at the end of July, once he has had a well deserved rest. The Gunners travel to the United States on July 21 with three games already scheduled. Bournemouth, Manchester United and Liverpool will all play against the Gunners as Arteta refines his ideas ahead of two more fixtures; against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon, which will be played at Emirates Stadium on August 7 and August 11 respectively.

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Arteta would have been keen to get Raya's transfer over the line sooner rather than later, with the Arsenal boss hinting in May that he would prefer new signings arrive as early as possible. "That's the ideal scenario," he said when asked if Arsenal were hopeful of getting their business done at the start of the window.

"Every club wants that, we want that as coaches and for the players especially. Then for the team and for the environment. When you do that something clicks there and it’s really important because it starts to give you momentum."

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The Euros and Copa America have made things tricky, however, and this is something Arteta acknowledged. "But there are Euros this season and Copa America, so it might be a different summer," he added.