Arsenal’s Scottish left-back Kieran Tierney is set to embark on a new chapter in his career with a season-long loan to Real Sociedad with an announcement expected today.

The 26-year-old has been identified as a crucial addition for the La Liga side’s Champions League campaign and looks forward to re-establishing his status, which peaked during Unai Emery’s tenure at Arsenal.

  • Kieran Tierney’s loan move to Real Sociedad is expected to be announced officially today.
  • The loan spell does not include an option to buy, but it leaves open the possibility of future negotiations between the clubs.
  • Arsenal see this move as a strategic way to refresh Tierney’s career and perhaps improve his market value.

Tierney’s Arrival and Immediate Agenda

Kieran Tierney landed in San Sebastian on Saturday, where he was warmly welcomed by Real Sociedad’s sports management, led by Roberto Olabe and Erik Bretos.

Awaiting his medical check-up at the Polyclinic today [Sunday], this move inches closer to becoming a ratified deal.

Other side ch Ampions Kieran Tierney will be announced today as the fourth signing txuri urdin of the summer Arrived yesterday afternoon at the Costa Vasca Hotel, where he met Roberto Olabe Mundo Deportivo (Gipuzkoa)27 Aug 2023 The signing of Kieran Tierney by Real Sociedad is an unofficial reality. The Scottish footballer arrives in La Liga on loan from Arsenal to play in the Champions League with Real and regain the status of a key footballer that he had at the London club, especially during Unai Emery's time as manager. With that objective, the 26-year-old arrived yesterday in San Sebastian with a smile from ear to ear. He stayed at the Costa Vasca Hotel, where the press was waiting for him and also part of the realist sports management, led by Roberto Olabe and Erik Bretos, whom he greeted effusively as soon as he entered the hotel. The roadmap of the new realistic left-back will be similar to that of Arsen Zakharyan in his first hours in Donostia. He rested yesterday after arriving from a trip, and today Sunday he will undergo a medical examination in the morning at the Polyclinic, to avoid scares and check that everything is correct before signing his new contract with the txuri urdin club, taking the official photos and for the club to announce his hiring. It will not be until Monday when he will get to know, in one fell swoop, his teammates, the training methods of Imanol Alguacil, and his new fans, in the open door session of Zubieta. If Rico doesn't get out before Saturday, Tierney might have to wear bib number 25 Unless unforeseen, he is physically fit to contribute to the team from now on No purchase option The loan of Tierney is a plus to face a demanding season with an obvious improvement in the sides. Traoré on the right and now the Scot, born on the Isle of Man, on the left. In principle, it is nothing more than that, a Champions League reinforcement, since his transfer does not include any purchase option. It was considered, but it was so high and far from realistic possibilities, that they finally ruled it out. That does not mean that, if both parties are satisfied, they will not be able to negotiate a return to the club next summer. In fact, Arsenal's intention, according to important media from England, is to revalue Tierney, playing Champions League at an attractive club in the League, in order to make a profit on a transfer next year. Experience for now Tierney has already made 294 appearances in his career, between Celtic and Arsenal. He can act as a winger, a forward or a left center. He cost 27 ’kilos' to Arsenal, and now he has a value, according to Transfermarkt, of 25. Throughout his career highlights the huge number of goals generated he has. A total of 64, 13 marked and 51 dice. As this newspaper reported in yesterday's edition, he loves to join the attack and is accurate in the centers, the main reason for explaining these data. He comes from playing 36 matches last academic year, but for a total of only 1,500 minutes, comparable to Illarra, for example. Of course, it's almost an amulet, because the team scored 2.42 points per game with him, a savagery. Despite being 26 years old, he is an experienced player, who knows how to be and is capable of giving an immediate performance. He is fit, and if Imanol considers it, he could make his debut next Saturday in Anoeta, against Granada. What is not clear is with which bib number he would debut, since the market is still open, but the Real has all the chips occupied except the number ‘13', saved in principle for a goalkeeper, and the ‘25'. The key is the Rico exit operation. If he leaves for another club before Saturday, the San Sebastian club could use the ’15' of the Burgos for Tierney, but if not, the Scot would stay the ‘25’ even though they know that the ‘15’ would be released days later. A curious theme to say the least, which could be repeated later with Odriozola, if he finally arrives
Mundo Deportivo, 27 August 2023

Anticipation builds for Arsenal

Arsenal supporters are keen to see how this loan strategy unfolds, as it presents an opportunity for the club to reinvigorate Tierney’s career and potentially add value to a future transfer.

Reliable sources from England suggest that Arsenal envisages this loan as a strategic play for future transfer windows.

No purchase option but future open

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Kieran Tierney of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal FC at St. James Park on May 07, 2023 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Significantly, the loan deal excludes an option for Real Sociedad to permanently sign Tierney, but it does allow the possibility of renegotiation next summer, depending on the success of the loan stint.

An experienced talent

Having already racked up 294 appearances between Celtic and Arsenal, Tierney is no newcomer to the football scene.

Last season, he was involved in 36 matches, registering an impressive 2.42 points per game when he was on the pitch.

Shirt Number Uncertainties

A small wrinkle in this story concerns Tierney’s possible shirt number at Real Sociedad.

With the transfer window still open, there remains a possibility that the number 15 shirt could soon become available for Tierney, provided player Rico moves on, but if that doesn’t happen he is likely to wear the number 25 shirt.