Arsenal Sign Neto from Bournemouth

Arsenal FC announced on their official website they have completed the signing of 35-year-old Brazilian goalkeeper Neto on loan from fellow Premier League side Bournemouth.

Born on 19th July 1989 in Araxá, Brazil, the 6ft 3in shot-stopper began his youth career at Cruzeiro before moving to Athletico Paranaense in 2003. He broke into their first team in 2009, and made 36 senior appearances, keeping 13 clean sheets.

Arsenal Sign Neto from Bournemouth

Speaking in his first interview as an Arsenal player, Neto said:

“I’m realising a dream in my life, a dream come true, and I’m really, really happy.

“I had two dreams as a kid to play for a football team. It was my team in Brazil, where I grew up and became a professional footballer, and also Arsenal. And now I’m realising it! I’m a really lucky person.

“To all the supporters of Arsenal, I’d just like to say I’m one more fan here. My dream has come true, I’m really happy. Depend on me, I’ll give more than 100% to give everything for Arsenal.”

Neto’s Journey Across Europe

Norberto Murara Neto left his homeland to join Italian side Fiorentina in 2011, and kept 34 clean sheets for the club in 101 appearances across four seasons. He was signed by Juventus in July 2015 but never managed to quite establish himself as first-choice, playing just 22 matches for the Old Lady in which he kept 13 clean sheets.

Two years later, he moved from Italy to Spain, joining Valencia in July 2017 on a four-year contract. He played in 80 matches across all competitions for the club, keeping 24 clean sheets, and helped them win the Copa del Rey in the 2018-19 season.

In June 2019, he was on the move again, signing for Barcelona—who had sold Jasper Cillessen to Valencia the day before. However, he failed to dislodge first-choice goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, and made only 21 appearances across all competitions over the next three seasons, keeping seven clean sheets.

He was brought to England and the Premier League by Bournemouth in 2022, where he signed a one-year deal on a free transfer. Over the last two seasons, he has kept 13 clean sheets in 63 total appearances for the Cherries.

Once Bournemouth signed Kepa Arrizabalaga on loan from Chelsea, Arsenal swooped to sign Neto as backup to David Raya for the 2024-25 campaign, having sold Aaron Ramsdale to Southampton and consequently failing to secure the signing of Joan Garcia from Espanyol.

Neto has made one senior international appearance for Brazil but was part of their Olympic squad for the 2012 Games in London where he won the Silver Medal. Other honors include Serie A [2015-16 and 2016-17], Coppa Italia [2015-16 and 2016-17], Supercoppa Italiana [2015] with Juventus, and winning the Copa del Rey twice—with Valencia [2018-19] and Barcelona [2020-21].

He is one of five senior signings made by Arsenal during the summer transfer window, joining David Raya, Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino, and Raheem Sterling in Mikel Arteta’s title-chasing squad.

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