Spanish international goalkeeper David Raya has become a part of our team, joining Arsenal on a season-long loan from Brentford.
At 27 years old, David Raya has been a key figure in Brentford’s squad over recent seasons, notably featuring in all 38 of their Premier League matches during the last season.
Originally from Barcelona, David made his way to England at the age of 16 when he signed with Blackburn Rovers as part of their academy setup. After a brief loan stint with Southport in the National League, his journey saw him earn promotion to the Championship with Rovers. This was followed by an impressive 108 senior appearances before he headed to west London in July 2019.
Since then, he has accumulated 161 appearances across all competitions for Thomas Frank’s team. His initial season with Brentford was marked by being awarded the EFL Golden Glove and narrowly missing out on Premier League promotion. His Premier League dreams materialized the following season, as he played a pivotal role in Brentford’s victory over Swansea City in the 2021 Championship play-off final, securing their promotion.
David’s success extended onto the international stage in the past year. He made his debut for Spain in a 2-1 win against Albania in March 2022 and was subsequently selected for Spain’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad. The pinnacle of his international achievements came at the end of the 2022/23 season when he lifted the 2023 UEFA Nations League trophy with Spain, triumphing over Croatia in a penalty shootout.
Edu, our Sporting Director, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, stating, “We are delighted to welcome David on board for the season as a loan signing from Brentford. His consistent performances in the Premier League with Brentford showcase his quality as a goalkeeper. With David’s addition, we are enhancing the strength and depth of our squad to compete at the highest level across various competitions.”
The loan agreement includes an option for a permanent move. David will be donning the number 22 shirt for Arsenal, and the entire club extends a warm welcome to him.
Please note that the loan agreement is subject to the completion of necessary regulatory processes.
By – Sahiba Suri