Runar Alex Runarsson has completed a transfer to Turkey, joining Alanyaspor on loan, not Antalyaspor, whom he has been linked with over the summer.

Runar Alex Runarsson with Iceland (Photo via Runarsson on Instagram)
Runar Alex Runarsson with Iceland (Photo via Runarsson on Instagram)

There’s been quite a bit of uncertainty and confusion over Runar Alex Runarsson’s potential summer transfer in recent weeks, but we now have a conclusion, at least until next summer.

Initial reports from the Evening Standard suggested Runarsson was set for a loan to Antalyaspor, but Arsenal442, Ryan Taylor, and others reported that it was actually Alanyaspor closing in on the goalkeeper.

Arsenal confirmed the deal on Monday.

The other subject for debate was whether the deal would be a loan or a permanent deal

Most reports suggested a loan, with Sam Dean of the Telegraph among those to claim as much. But Mark Mann-Bryans wrote last week that it would be a permanent deal.

It is not, it is a loan.

Runar Alex Runarsson pictured wearing headgear whilst playing for OH Leuven (Photo via HLN.be)
Runar Alex Runarsson pictured wearing headgear whilst playing for OH Leuven (Photo via HLN.be)

Runarsson’s last loan to OH Leuven went pretty well, as he played 17 times in Leuven’s last 19 league games, maintaining a respectable save percentage of 71% despite his loan side’s struggles.

The goalkeeper also showed good character, particularly after he was briefly hospitalised with a head injury, returning with a Man of the Match performance in the next game.

That form got him back into the Iceland team. Following a run of seven matches without an appearance, he’s played five of Iceland’s six games since March. Now he’s seemingly looking to push on in Turkey.