Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Tommy Setford from Ajax for a fee reported in the region of €1 million plus add-ons. The 18-year-old goalkeeper bolsters the academy’s goalkeeper options.
Born and raised in Holland, Setford plays for England at youth level and was part of the under-17 squad, alongside Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, for last year’s World Cup in Indonesia.
As things stand, Setford doesn’t count as a homegrown player but he will be eligible for said status if he spends three years with an FA club before the end of the season in which he turns 21. It’s reported that his Arsenal deal will last four years.
Tommy Setford is a Gunner ❤️
We are delighted to announce the signing of the English youth international goalkeeper to our academy ✍️
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) July 21, 2024
After five youth team keepers departed at the end of June, Setford is the third keeper to join the club since the start of the month. David Raya completed his permanent move from Brentford and Lucas Nygaard was recruited for the Academy.
In his first interview with the club, he said: “I want to thank Arsenal for this opportunity. I can’t wait to hit the ground running.
“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.”
He’ll get a chance to do that as part of the squad that tours the USA.
Two more keepers may be signed before the transfer window closes to replace Aaron Ramsdale and Karl Hein. The former wants to play regular first team football having been usurped by Raya while the latter is in need of a loan.
The Gunners have already had one offer for Wolves’ back-up keeper Dan Bentley rejected but it’s been reported an improved offer has been lodged.
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So, he’s all Setford the Arsenal…
Setfordtion guaranteed with that response J4Hats
wot
Welcome to the most beautiful club in England, Tommy!
As, I think, James said on one of the podcasts (maybe it was Andrew; my apologies if it was): it is a name that sounds very Peaky Blinders. Will he later invent the atomic bomb?
That’ll be the name given to his trademark goal-scoring goal kicks!
Was he one of the children in the farewell video Ajax did for timber last year?