Who is Matt Turner? The United States star who has signed for Arsenal

Updated: 27 Jun 2022 06:29 CDT
5 min read

Matt Turner, New England Revolution, 2021 — © ProShots

Arsenal have completed the signing of US international Matt Turner from Major League Soccer franchise New England Revolution.

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The move was first agreed in January and the goalkeeper with a view to completing the deal this summer, and that has now been finalised.

The Gunners are set to add the keeper to their squad for a fee of £4.5 million, which could rise another £3m in bonuses.

Turner’s rise to the top has been remarkable, with the 27-year-old having only played in MLS since 2016.

“He's headed to Arsenal. It's just an amazing story and it's down to him, his work ethic, his belief in himself and his never give up attitude,” US men's national team coach Greg Berhalter said after Turner shut out El Salvador 1-0 in an international clash in January.

Meanwhile, the deal opens the door to a departure for Bernd Leno, who has been playing second choice this season to Aaron Ramsdale. The German has 18 months left on his deal and is therefore a player liable to be sold in the summer, especially after this development.

But just who is Turner, the man who is set to replace him?

What position does Matt Turner play?

Turner is a goalkeeper who likes to play on his line. He is not typically involved in build-up play and is not very adventurous in terms of leaving his box to sweep.

How good is Matt Turner?

Turner is highly rated in MLS. For example, he won the Goalkeeper of the Year award for the 2021 season and was also named the All-Star Game MVP for that year.

He has also established himself as the No.1 pick for the USA national team, doing so quickly after debuting in January 2021. With the national team, he won the CONCACAF Gold Cup Golden Glove Award for the 2021 campaign.