Runar Alex Runarsson has sent a message to Arsenal and the fans after completing his permanent transfer away from the club this week.

Arsenal goalkeeper Runar Alex Runarsson completed a permanent exit to FC Copenhagen earlier this week, ending a spell of three-and-a-half years contracted to the Gunners.

Runarsson was away on a loan spell with Cardiff City for the first half of the season, but it was decided to end his loan and terminate his Arsenal deal by mutual consent so he could join Copenhagen.

With the goalkeeper’s Arsenal contract set to expire at the end of the season anyway, it was no great loss to the Gunners, who weren’t expecting to receive a fee for Runarsson either way.

But the opportunity to join a Champions League last-16 side in FC Copenhagen was clearly a step up from playing on loan in the Championship.

Speaking after his move was confirmed, Runarsson thanked Arsenal and the supporters for his time in north London.

“For the last years I have had the privilege of serving one of the greatest clubs in the world, and from the bottom of my heart I just want to say thank you,” Runarsson wrote.

“Thank you to my team mates, the manager and his staff, everyone at Colney and most of all, thank you to all the fans for everything!

“Once a gunner, always a gunner.”

Runarsson played six times for Arsenal, keeping two clean sheets in his five starts for the club, and also avoiding conceding in his single substitute appearance – his only showing in the Premier League.

The goalkeeper then went out on loan to OH Leuven in Belgium, Alanyaspor in Turkey, and Cardiff City in the Championship, before eventually completing his permanent exit.

With any luck, this will be a positive spell in Denmark that secures Runarsson a spot on the plane with Iceland for the Euros this summer. His national side first have to win their qualifying play-offs in March.