Arsenal have confirmed that goalkeeper Matt Turner has joined Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal worth £10 million including add-ons.
The 29-year-old leaves Arsenal after one season having kept four clean sheets in seven games in the Europa League and FA Cup. He is expected to be replaced by Brentford’s David Raya in the coming days.
The Gunners agreed to sign Turner from New England Revolution for £7 million in February 2022 although he didn’t join up with the club for another four months.
He arrived with a reputation as a good shot-stopper but immediately acknowledged his need to improve his distribution with his feet. While he certainly did get better, he never looked comfortable enough on the ball to seriously challenge Aaron Ramsdale.
Earlier this summer, Turner admitted he was frustrated by his lack of game time at the Emirates and you sensed he might look for a move to consolidate his credentials as first-choice keeper for the USA. Hopefully, he’ll get the chance at the City Ground under Steve Coooper.
From Stateside to Trentside.
A new chapter awaits ❤️ pic.twitter.com/N2zA9tn7NG
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 9, 2023
Edu had some nice words for Turner on his exit, saying: “On behalf of everyone at the club, we would like to thank Matt for his contribution to Arsenal and wish him and his family all the best in their new chapter.
“Matt is an international goalkeeper with the United States and is at a stage of his career when he needs to be playing regularly. He is leaving with our best wishes to join Nottingham Forest.”
In his first interview at Forest, Turner said: “It feels great to be here. It’s something I’m really looking forward to, it’s a great challenge and a great step in my career. When I heard that there was interest to bring me here, it just felt right for my family, it felt right when my agent spoke to me about it and it feels like the right move for me right now.”
Turner’s exit is set to be followed by the departures of two other keepers, Alex Runarsson and Arthur Okonkwo, in the coming weeks.
Thank you and all the best Matt! Except for next weekend and whenever you face the Arsenal.
Right, it’s right to say the right opportunity at the right moment, and all that’s left to say is righty-Ho Matt. Thanks and goodluck
Funny how Artera says Matt is at a stage of his career where.he needs to play…. Cough Raya Cough Ramsdale…. Interesting to see how this develops.
After selling turner we will have spent a net 50 million on Ramsdale and Raya. I’m pretty confident one will go out the door next summer for between 40 to 50 million leaving us with a world class #1 goalkeeper for net 0-10 mill. That’s the stuff of football manager 😁
We did also have to pay for Turner in the first place…
It was Edu that said that.
When is a player at a stage in their career when they don’t need to play?
Retirement
When they move to Saudi arabia
Willian for the year he was with us springs to mind.
While injured.
Players only love you when they’re playing
Keepers, they will come and they will go.
It was Edu that said that I mean cmon now.
Yeah but heard he stole the quote off Gunnersaurus.
Erm Edu not the Gaffer. Also, #1 for country needs to play more or the will lose their #1 position, compared to Rammers or Raya.
The big difference is both Raya and Ramsdale can realistically challenge each other to play. That was never happening for Matt.
Dont be too sure of that, dawg!
There is a possibility that the Raya move started with Turner wanting to leave. We went for our other targets really early on, so this one feels more spontaneous.
I think this is what exactly happened. Turner wanted out because he needs to be playing to stay as US no1. Edu and Arteta must have been looking at replacements and when Raya popped up virtually unchallenged then, well, you don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
I wonder if we’ll see a couple more low value signings from the USA. Because the Turner and Trusty deals both seem like us intentionally offering a pathway from MLS to Premier League.
it’s probably only (i hope) a marketing thing. they realize “soccer” is becoming a big thing in the US and they want to draw attention to the arsenal.
kinda reminds me of they days when we would buy some random asian player and go there for preseason. not too long ago, actually.
And of course he’ll play against us on Saturday…. Really arsenal? Couldn’t it wait a bit more?
Let’s hope he signed an NDA as well, don’t want him sharing Arteta’s playbook.
Jokes aside, is an interesting thought as to how much information coaches share with players individually and collectivelly, given the marginal gains that make such a difference nowadays.
Anyways, good luck Matt, except on Saturday and when we visit the City ground.
Sorry to see Matt go, as he was an ideal no2 with a good attitude. I wish him a great career, apart from Saturday afternoon!
His dream move.
Best of luck in your new club, Matt. Understandable he needs to play more club football with the coming WC to be held in his home country.
Still active former Arsenal GK 7-a-side:
————–Turner————-
—–Fabianski—Szczesny—
–Ospina—-Leno—-Ryan–
————-Martinez———-
Subs: Mannone, Macey
Turner did not have a chance to win the FA Cup as his last Arsenal match, as three (!!) of our former keepers did.
Hmm, I can think of 4 candidates- Fabianski vs Hull, Szczesny vs VIlla, Ospina vs Chelsea and Martinez vs Chelsea
Did Martinez play in the community shield afterwards?