Arsenal have officially announced that goalkeeper Alex Runarsson will be heading to Championship side Cardiff City for the 2023/2024 season on loan.

• Arsenal confirms Alex Runarsson’s loan move to Cardiff City for the 2023/2024 season which likely ends his Arsenal career.
• This transfer becomes Cardiff’s eighth signing this summer, joining Aaron Ramsey at the club.
• Runarsson, Erol Bulut (Cardiff’s manager), and Aron Gunnarsson all express positive sentiments about the move.

This move will see the Icelandic international link up with Aaron Ramsey, who recently made a high-profile return to Cardiff earlier this summer.

The 28-year-old shot-stopper will be venturing into another stint away from the Emirates, following his time in Turkey with Alanyaspor where he clocked in 32 appearances across all competitions.

Before this, Runarsson was on loan at Belgian outfit OH Leuven.

Alex’s addition to Cardiff City makes him their eighth signing of this busy summer window.

Beginning his football journey with his hometown club KR Reykjavik, Runarsson further expanded his resume with periods at Nordsjælland and Dijon, before the significant move to Arsenal in 2020 which probably should never have happened.

Upon joining the Bluebirds, an elated Runarsson said, “I spoke to Gunnars [Aron Gunnarsson] before signing and the first thing he said was ‘go’ and that he loved it here.

“The manager also spoke to me about the playing style, what he wants from me, what he wants from the team and how he sees my role within the team.

“He saw me play in Turkey when I was on loan there, so it’s good that I’m coming to play for a manager that knows me and knows my qualities.

“I’m really excited to play in front of the fans. Seeing the stadium, I can feel the atmosphere in the air, so I’m looking forward playing in front of fans.

“When I signed for Arsenal, it was during Covid, so I didn’t get to experience British football with the fans, so I’m excited to play in that atmosphere.”

Erol Bulut, the Cardiff City manager, already familiar with Runarsson’s capabilities from his Alanyaspor days, shared his thoughts. “I know Alex from Alanyaspor, when he was on loan there,” Bulut said.

“We could see on the field that when he had the ball, he was really good with his feet, he can play out with the ball and that’s what I want. He is also really quick, has good reactions and is good under crosses.

“I think he will help us a lot. Whoever gives the best performance for us out of our three goalkeepers will stay in goal and will be starting.

“Mario [Galinović] knows him from Turkey and he likes him as well. We tried to find the best that was available to us and we’ve done that I think.”

With his deal expected to expire next summer, this seems to spell the end of Runarsson’s time as an Arsenal player.