The New England Revolution have confirmed that goalkeeper Matt Turner is set to join Arsenal on a permanent deal in the summer of 2022.
The USA international has already teased his arrival on social media after the Gunners agreed a deal to sign him in January - forking out a total of $10m (£7.4m) with add-ons - as Bernd Leno prepares to leave the club at the end of the season.
Turner is set to provide backup and competition to Aaron Ramsdale in between the sticks, and he has made quite the name for himself in MLS ahead of his North London arrival.
Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at Turner's background and career, and what Arsenal fans can expect from the 27-year-old in between the sticks.
BACKGROUND
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Born in New Jersey, Turner's beginnings as a goalkeeper began during his college years, where he would pull on the gloves for Fairfield University's team - The Stags.
A tally of 21 clean sheets from 39 games for the Stags at college level typified that of a promising shot-stopper, but the American's youth career was perhaps best remembered for a horror mistake he made during an MAAC Division I game against Iona.
The Stags found themselves 1-0 up in the fixture in October 2013, but in the second half, a long-range effort from an Iona player cannoned into the air off the crossbar, and Turner attempted to catch the ball while facing the goal before seeing it spill out of his hands and into the back of the net.
Turner immediately fell to his knees with his head in his hands before suffering a 2-1 defeat - there was not much he could have done about the second goal - but his college form still earned him a transfer to the New England Revolution in March 2016, despite his undrafted status.
The keeper was immediately loaned out to Richmond Kicker and conceded just three goals in seven games during the 2016 USL Championship season - making a further 20 appearances before he returned to make a name for himself at New England.
RECENT FORM
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Turner cemented his position as New England's first-choice goalkeeper in the 2018 season - although he was benched towards the end of the campaign following a dire winless streak - and he would reach the playoffs with his team in 2019 before a 1-0 defeat to Atlanta.
The 2020 season truly saw Turner make a name for himself, as the 6ft 3in stopper conceded just 23 goals in 19 matches en route to the playoffs once again - although New England lost in the semi-finals to Columbus Crew that year - which saw him win the fans' vote for Team MVP and also scooping the Players' Player of the Year award.
Turner also finished second in the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year vote to Andre Blake in 2020, but there was no stopping the New England man winning the honour in 2021 during another standout year.
Indeed, the 27-year-old may have only kept five clean sheets in his 28 regular-season matches, but he acted as the last line of defence for New England en route to the Supporters' Shield before another early playoff exit to New York City.
An agile shot-stopper with quick reflexes, exemplary positioning and a penchant for penalty saves - stopping two spot kicks in the 2021 MLS All-Star game - many in the States feel that Turner's recognition is long overdue as he seeks to do the USA proud in the Premier League.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
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Turner had to be extremely patient for his USA debut - which ultimately came in January 2021 in a 7-0 friendly victory over Trinidad and Tobago - but he would not have to wait long for his first piece of international silverware.
Indeed, Turner was selected as the number one goalkeeper for the Stars and Stripes' barnstorming Gold Cup run under Gregg Berhalter, where he would play every minute of the tournament, keep five clean sheets, make 26 saves and concede just one goal in six matches en route to the trophy.
The 27-year-old was unsurprisingly named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament after helping to propel the USA to glory and was also named in the Team of the Tournament, with his showings since earning him regular starts in World Cup 2022 Qualifying.
Turner now has 16 USA caps to his name and has kept an eye-catching 11 clean sheets in that streak - letting in a total of six goals and earning high praise from Berhalter - who was one of the first to break the news of his shot-stopper's imminent move to North London.
With the Stars and Stripes well-placed to qualify for Qatar, Turner is set to continue his battle for international supremacy with Manchester City's Zack Steffen on the biggest stage, and it may not be long before the two compatriots line up against one another in the Premier League.
Ben Knapton
