Goalkeeper explains why he picked Arsenal after PSG trial | OneFootball

Lucas Martin Nygaard has explained how his summer move to Arsenal came about, having previously spent time on a trial with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this year.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Young goalkeeper Lucas Martin Nygaard joined Arsenal in 2024, but his journey to the club wasn’t entirely straightforward.

Having previously played for FC Nordsjaelland, Nygaard left his former club and became a free agent. For a while, his future was uncertain, and he’s shed light on how his move to north London eventually went through.

“When I left FC Nordsjaelland at 17, I began looking for a new team,” Nygaard explained. “My first trial was with PSG, and then I had a trial with Arsenal.”

Photo via Arsenal.com

“I’m not entirely sure how it came about; my dad simply told me while I was with the national team that Arsenal were coming to watch one of my games,” Nygaard continued. “They must have been impressed as they invited me for a trial, and things progressed from there.

“I quickly fell in love with Arsenal during my trial, which lasted around two weeks. The set-up, the coaches, and my teammates were all incredibly welcoming. Over the next six weeks I travelled back and forth, and on my 18th birthday I was offered a contract to sign that summer.

“It was an unforgettable moment – I was buzzing! Arsenal is such a massive club, and it’s an opportunity not many 18 year olds get.”

Photo via Arsenal.com

Nygaard didn’t get off to the ideal start at Arsenal, breaking his thumb before playing a competitive fixture.

The goalkeeper has since returned to fitness and played a number of games between the UEFA Youth League, the EFL Trophy, and the Premier League 2. He’s made eight club appearances in all and played twice for the Denmark u19s in November.

The national team evidently played a key role in Nygaard’s club future in early 2024, given that’s where Arsenal caught sight of him. The goalkeeper was solely playing international fixtures at the time, with no club affiliation.

Nygaard was able to repay his national team in November by keeping a clean sheet against Albania and helping his side to a win over Israel. Denmark topped their u19 Euro qualification group and will now be involved in the Elite Round of qualifiers in March.