Tommy Setford
English footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tommy Hogan Setford (born 13 March 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Premier League club Arsenal. Born in the Netherlands, he represents England at youth international level.
.jpg)
|
Setford in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Tommy Hogan Setford | ||
| Date of birth | 13 March 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Haarlem, Netherlands | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Arsenal | ||
| Number | 35 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2021–2024 | Ajax | ||
| 2024– | Arsenal | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2024– | Arsenal | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021 | England U16 | 1 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | England U17 | 17 | (0) |
| 2023 | England U18 | 4 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | England U19 | 10 | (0) |
| 2025– | England U20 | 1 | (0) |
| 2025– | England U21 | 3 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 00:15, 21 July 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 23:49, 31 March 2026 (UTC) | |||
Born in Haarlem, Setford began his youth career at Ajax, before transferring out to Arsenal's academy, Hale End, in July 2024, aged 18. He made his senior debut for the first team on 30 October 2024, in an EFL Cup match against Preston North End.
Early life
Setford was born in 2006 in Haarlem, to an English professional golfer and a Dutch mother.[1] He is the brother of MK Dons goalkeeper Charlie Setford.[2]
Club career
Setford was in the academy of AFC Ajax before joining the academy at Arsenal in July 2024 for an undisclosed fee in the region of €1 million.[3] He agreed a four year contract with Arsenal with the option of an extra year.[4][5]
Setford made his Arsenal debut on 30 October 2024, away at Preston North End in the Carabao Cup. He kept his first senior clean sheet for the Gunners in the 3–0 victory.[6]
Setford came on as a substitute to make his FA Cup debut replacing Kepa in a 4–0 victory in the fourth round of the cup against Wigan Athletic on 15 February 2026.[7]
International career
Setford was a member of the England under-17 squad that finished fifth at the 2023 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[8] Later that year he was called-up for the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup and started all four of their games at the tournament including their round of sixteen defeat against Uzbekistan.[9][10]
In March 2024, Setford made his debut for England under-19 against Morocco U19.[11] He was a member of the squad at the 2025 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and started all of their games at the tournament as England were eliminated at the group stage.[12][13]
On 10 October 2025, Setford made his England U20 debut during a 1–0 defeat to Switzerland at St. George's Park.[14][15] He has been described as "highly regarded at youth level and in the England setup too".[16]
Setford made his England U21 debut on 14 November 2025 during a 2–0 win over Republic of Ireland at St. Andrew's.[17]
Style of play
Setford operates as a goalkeeper. He has been described as "appreciated... for his sharp reflexes, technical skill, ability to play out from the back and his understanding of in-game tactics".[18]
Personal life
The son of Netherlands based, English professional golfer, Chris Setford, Tommy’s older brother, Charlie Setford, also played for the Ajax youth teams as a goalkeeper, and also represented England U18s.[19][20]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 15 February 2026
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Arsenal U21 | 2025–26[21] | — | — | — | — | 2[a] | 0 | 2 | 0 | |||||
| Total | — | — | — | — | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Arsenal | 2024–25[22] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| 2025–26[21] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
- Appearances in EFL Trophy