Arsenal completed a new signing on Friday, as they announced a somewhat sudden deal to bring in Brighton and Hove Albion goalkeeper Mat Ryan.
The Gunners decided that Runar Runarsson wasn’t quite of the standard to be Bernd Leno’s main backup, so went back into the market – mere months after signing Runarsson in the first place.
Ryan is an experienced stopper with more than 120 Premier League appearances to his name, and now offers proven cover behind Leno.
The 28-year-old may be hoping for a permanent move to Arsenal this summer, and his move means that he has finally secured a switch to North London.
Back in 2012, Ryan had a trial spell at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Australian playing for Central Coast Mariners at that point in his career.
Ryan didn’t land a deal under Andre Villas-Boas, stayed with Central Coast Mariners for another year before spells with Cub Brugge, Valencia, Genk and Brighton.
Fans have now found Ryan’s tweets at the time of his trial, as he noted that he played 80 minutes of a 6-0 reserve team win over Southend United.
Ryan also added that he was hopeful of signing for Spurs and thought they were a ‘great club’ – a stance that Arsenal fans will no doubt hope has changed having made his move to the red side of North London instead, almost nine years since his Tottenham trial.
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