Bees welcome 22-year-old goalkeeper on four-year contract

Brentford have added goalkeeper Daniel Bentley to their squad after he signed a four-year contract today, Friday 1 July. The 22-year-old passed a medical this morning and completed his move from Southend United this afternoon. The goalkeeper was offered a new contract by Sky Bet League One Southend and due to his age, The Shrimpers will be due compensation. Negotiations between Brentford and Southend are continuing.

After a spell at Arsenal as a youngster, Daniel joined Southend and turned professional in 2011. After a loan spell at Braintree Town the goalkeeper made his debut in September 2012 and had established himself as first-choice by the start of the 2013/14 season. He helped Southend win promotion in 2014/15, saving three penalties in the Sky Bet League Two Play-Off Final win over Wycombe Wanderers. His performances that season also earned him a place in the PFA League Two Team of the Year and the Football League Young Player of the Month Award in April 2015.

Daniel missed just three games last season as Southend stabilised in League One. He leaves Southend having played 160 games for them in all competitions, 157 of them from the start. He played 141 league games for the Essex side and leaves having broken the Southend club record for most consecutive clean sheets – ten.

Dean Smith, Head Coach, said: “Daniel is an extremely promising young player. He was instrumental in helping Southend out of League Two and in to League One last year. For someone at the age of 22 to have played the amount of games he has, shows the ability he has got. He has a desire to keep the ball out of the goal. Daniel has a positive attitude and he is very confident; I like to see that in a goalkeeper."

Phil Giles, Co-Director of Football, said: "I'm very pleased that we've managed to attract one of the most highly rated young goalkeepers in the country to Brentford. Many fans will I'm sure be asking how that impacts the situation regarding David Button, who was outstanding for us last season. David has still yet to sign a new contract that was offered last year. Talks are continuing and all options remain open. As it stands all three goalkeepers, including Jack Bonham, will be competing to be first choice goalkeeper against Huddersfield on the opening day of the season."