Brentford confirm signing of goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha

Brentford have completed the signing of Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha on a three-year deal with option for a further 12 months.

The 27-year-old joins as a free agent after leaving Lazio, where he made 208 appearances in all competitions after graduating from the club's academy.

Strakosha had been in talks with Manchester United as the Red Devils look to replace Dean Henderson, who has joined Nottingham Forest on loan, but he has opted to chance his arm in the Premier League with Brentford - where he will compete with Spain goalkeeper David Raya for the number one jersey.

"I am pleased that we have managed to sign a top goalkeeper," manager Thomas Frank said of Strakosha's arrival.

"He has been number one at Lazio for a long time, which is very impressive. He has played in Serie A and European competition and will bring that experience with him. He fits our goalkeeper model and comes in to a good environment with David Raya and Matthew Cox pushing each other every day."


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Manu Sotelo, Brentford's goalkeeper coach, added: "I’m very pleased that Thomas has joined us. With him in our goalkeeper union, we will have a nice competition that will provide a step up for everyone. Thomas is an experienced goalkeeper who has played a lot in Serie A and for Albania.

"He fits perfectly with the sort of goalkeeper we want here. He can give us a lot of solutions playing from the back, he is an outstanding shot stopper and is very good positionally. When we spoke to him, he showed his desire to come and work hard to make himself and our other goalkeepers better."

Strakosha is Brentford's third major signing of the summer, with deals for full-back Aaron Hickey and versatile young forward Keane Lewis-Potter completed over the past week.


Source : 90min