Brentford sign Mark Flekken in £11m transfer

Brentford have signed goalkeeper Mark Flekken from Freiburg for a reported £11m fee.

The Netherlands international joins the West London club on a four-year deal subject to international clearance and a work permit.

"I'm very excited," Flekken told Brentford's official website. "It's a whole new chapter for me and the next big step in my career.

"I'm really looking forward to my time here at Brentford and it's really lovely to be here. If you had told me seven years ago when I was in the third division of Germany that, one day, I would be playing in the Premier League, I would have probably knocked you down!

"But it's a dream come true and my next big step. And I hope we can take the next steps as a squad and as a club as well."

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Flekken went on to add: "I'm a ball-playing goalkeeper. I try to bring calmness into the squad and I'll always try to direct the guys in front of me - I'll help them to help me.

"The only way to achieve as much as possible is together, so that's one of the key things I want to bring."

Commenting on the transfer, Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: "We're very happy to have signed Mark. He's a player with a lot of quality who will strengthen our goalkeeper group.

"He has big experience and joins us after two great seasons with Freiburg, who have just had a top season in the Bundesliga, finishing fifth and qualifying for the Europa League.

"He was a big part of the team there and now he's coming to us and will hopefully make the group better and the team better. He's a very good shot-stopper and comfortable with the ball at his feet. His distribution is very impressive."

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The move to the Premier League brings an end to Flekken's six-year association with Freiburg, where he kept 30 clean sheets in 96 appearances.

Flekken recorded more shutouts in the 2022-23 Bundesliga season than any other goalkeeper in the German top flight after keeping 13 clean sheets in 34 games.

The Dutchman arrives at the Brentford Community Stadium amid speculation that first-choice goalkeeper David Raya could leave this summer.

The Bees have set a £40m asking price for the Spain international, who is under contract with the club until the summer of 2024.