FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Luton Town v AFC Bournemouth - Kenilworth Road, Luton, Britain - April 6, 2024 AFC Bournemouth's Neto looks on after Luton Town's Carlton Morris shoots at goal and hits the post Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo
(Reuters) - Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan deal, the Premier League club announced on Friday after England keeper Aaron Ramsdale sealed a permanent move to Southampton.
Brazil's Neto, who previously played for Juventus, Valencia and Barcelona, has made 61 Premier League appearances for Bournemouth since joining the club in 2022.
"I'm realising a dream in my life, a dream come true, and I'm really, really happy," Neto said.
"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."
Neto will be Arsenal's backup goalkeeper with David Raya expected to be the first name on the team sheet for Mikel Arteta's side.
Last season's runner-ups Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday but Neto will not be eligible to play in that game, with the 35-year-old set to join the squad next week.
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha and Rohith Nair in Bengaluru, editing by Pritha Sarkar)
