In news that came out of the blue, Arsenal have announced the signing of Brighton goalkeeper Mat Ryan on loan until the end of the season.
Arsenal have signed Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Mat Ryan on loan until the end of the season.
The Gunners were in search of a backup goalkeeper for Bernd Leno and have finally got their wish.
Summer signing Runar Runarsson has failed to impress and forced the club into the transfer market in search of another goalkeeper.
Arsenal have now completed a move for Mat Ryan after the Australian international fell down the pecking order at Brighton.
The 35-year-old is a boyhood Gunners fan and took to social media to express his delight after completing the move.
He wrote: “Signing for the club you grew up supporting as a kid. Buzzing to be beginning this new chapter and will give everything I’ve got to contribute to the first club I ever loved.”
Speaking to the club’s website, Mikel Arteta said regarding Ryan: “We know Mat very well through his performances with Brighton in recent seasons and he brings additional quality to our squad.”
“Mat has very good Premier League experience and has played over 100 times in the league, which is something that will benefit us greatly on and off the pitch. We welcome Mat to Arsenal and look forward to working with him this season.”
Ryan has also vowed to be ‘reliable’ for the Gunners whenever he’s called upon in goal.
“I’d say on the field it’s probably my reliability as a goalkeeper,” he told the club’s social channel.
“I feel like I’m quite consistent with my performances.”
“I dedicate every aspect of my life to playing football and trying to win football games for whoever I am representing, be it the club or the national team in Australia. So that willingness to win and to go the extra length to do that is probably the main driving force behind me.”