Young Arsenal goalkeeper Lucas Martin Nygaard has explained his decision to turn down PSG, AS Monaco and Juventus to join the Gunners last summer.
After leaving FC Nordsjaelland, Nygaard made the move to North London a permanent one after impressing on a trial basis, signing a pro contract on his 18th birthday in June 2024.
The Danish youth international arrived at the Emirates Stadium rated highly from his time in youth football in his native country, with Denmark Under-18s manager Lasse Stensgaard describing him as “a real winner who will do everything he can to win."
The Dane was part of Mikel Arteta's first-team squad for the pre-season tour in the USA last summer before making nine appearances for the U21s to date and three more in the U19s UEFA Youth League squad.
Speaking to Ekstra Bladet, Nygaard said: "There were many clubs to turn to last summer. Monaco was really interested, and Juventus was really interested.
"PSG and Arsenal were also really interested, but the choice fell on Arsenal in the end. I was down there (at PSG) training to see what it was like. It was also a great experience. It was a bit difficult, though, because they didn’t really speak English.
"It was a bit difficult there, but I just take all the experiences and knowledge I get from the different places.
"Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs in the world, and they have a really good project going. When I was there training, when I had to choose where I would like to play, I was impressed.
"I think the people around the club, my teammates and the project were really exciting. I could see myself in it, so that’s why I chose them."