Transfer Centre

Arsenal transfer news: Gunners bolster goalkeeper department with teenager signing

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 27 June 2024

The next David Raya? Arsenal confirm signing of 18-year-old goalkeeper

Arsenal confirm the signing of 18-year-old Danish goalkeeper Lucas Nygaard to their academy ranks following his exit from Nordsjaelland.

Arsenal have bolstered their goalkeeping ranks with the signing of 18-year-old Denmark youth international Lucas Nygaard.

The 2006-born prospect had been without a club since January, having previously come through the ranks with Nordsjaelland before leaving without making a single senior appearance.

However, Nygaard has earned his stars for Denmark at youth level, representing his nation from the Under-16s to the Under-18s, playing twice for the latter team so far.

Nygaard even captained Denmark's youth products in a 3-0 loss to Norway in October 2023, and after a successful trial, he was offered a professional contract by the Gunners.

During his first interview with arsenal.com, Nygaard labelled himself a "modern" goalkeeper who likes to have the ball at his feet, which was a key factor in Mikel Arteta pursuing a deal for Brentford's David Raya last summer.

"I'm really pleased to finally be here. I have a good feeling in my stomach. As you all know, Arsenal is a big football club and I was really happy when my dad told me there was some interest and I was going here on a trial," Nygaard said.

Welcome to The Arsenal, Lucas Nygaard ❤️

We are delighted to announce the signing of the young Danish goalkeeper to our academy ✍️
— Arsenal Academy (@ArsenalAcademy) June 27, 2024

"I'm a modern goalkeeper who likes to play with my feet. I'm also good on the line, making great saves. I played for FC Nordsjaelland who also like the goalkeeper to play a lot, so they did a great job developing me.

"I'm looking forward to playing games again and winning a lot of games next season while developing. I've chosen Arsenal because I could see they like to play out from the back and that feels really good. The people around the club have been really great, so it wasn't a hard decision."

How is Arsenal's goalkeeping department shaping up?

While Nygaard will initially ply his trade in Arsenal's Under-18s or Under-23s, there is every chance that he will be integrated into first-team training sessions, especially as Arthur Okonkwo has now left for Wrexham on a permanent deal.

Even though third-choice Karl Hein has extended his contract in North London, the fates of Arteta's two main shot-stoppers from last season - Raya and Aaron Ramsdale - are yet to be decided.

Raya's loan deal from Brentford included a purchase option worth around £27m, and Arsenal are widely expected to activate that clause, but there has still been no confirmation from either club.

Meanwhile, Ramsdale is likely to be on the way out after being relegated to number two behind Raya, with all of Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Newcastle United linked with a move for the England international, whose future is unlikely to be resolved until after Euro 2024.