What Tommy Setford will have to do to qualify as a homegrown player at Arsenal, it has a huge benefit

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Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Ajax academy goalkeeper Tommy Setford, which will boost the club’s options in the position.

Setford, 18, is set to join Arsenal for less than £1m, and he will reunited with England youth teammates Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.

Arsenal suffered a goalkeeping exodus at youth level, but with Setford following Lucas Nygaard in, the academy now has more options, and they could even step in to train with the first-team in pre-season.

Mikel Arteta is also trying to add an experienced third-choice option, which would let Karl Hein go out on loan, and Arsenal had a bid rejected for Wolves goalkeeper Dan Bentley.

Bentley would represent a homegrown addition to the squad, but as of now, Setford would not.

Why Arsenal signing Tommy Setford does not count as homegrown

Despite playing for the England under-20s, and holding an English nationality, Setford does not count as homegrown in England yet.

The Athletic have now revealed that Setford’s development at Ajax means that he does not qualify as homegrown yet, but this is something he can earn.

“Having grown up in the Netherlands as the son of an English father and Dutch mother, Arsenal target Setford does not yet qualify as a homegrown player under the Premier League and UEFA’s rules, despite representing England Under-20s this summer,” they explained.

“However, he would sign as an 18-year-old and will turn 21 in his third year at Arsenal, meaning he will then qualify as a homegrown player under UEFA’s current regulations, providing he continues with the London side.”

Tommy Setford homegrown status indicates Arsenal plan for him

It appears that Setford will join the Arsenal academy sides and play regularly for the under-21s, whilst also providing a training option for the first-team.

Given that he needs to spend the next three years at Arsenal before reaching homegrown status, a loan move before then is highly unlikely.

Setford could be a contender to play in pre-season whilst David Raya and Aaron Ramsdale are away following the Euro 2024 final, and the teenager will effectively serve as a fourth-choice option whilst playing in the academy teams.