At 26, Scotland defender Kieran Tierney's story may only really be getting going as he joins Real Sociedad on loan from Arsenal.
A new league, a new challenge. Given that Sociedad are paying Arsenal a loan fee as well as 100% of his salary - a one-season commitment of £7m - the expectation is that he will start, which is the entire point of the move. After that, who knows? Football is odd. Not that long ago he looked like he was going to be a mainstay of the Mikel Arteta rebuild.
Things have changed dramatically for Tierney since he made his Premier League debut against Crystal Palace in October 2019. Unlike now, Arsenal then bobbed around in the no-man's land of eighth place in the Premier League. Tierney stepped into another world when he traded Glasgow for London. He was photographed turning up for work one day with his boots in a 10p shopping bag. The place he moved to lauded him for being an outlier, for refusing to go down the conventional route of designer stuff, like most of his contemporaries.
Keown, and others, liked Tierney's lack of airs and graces. In the cold of winter he would turn up in a T-shirt and shorts when team-mates would be cowering in hoodies and snoods. He looked like the type of fella that Arsenal needed - a guy with a resilient mentality who could bring some leadership.As Arteta reshaped his team and brought in influential players, Tierney's importance reduced. They needed him when they were struggling but the manager had others to do the heavy lifting now.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Arsenal defender Tierney joins Real Sociedad on loanArsenal defender Kieran Tierney joins La Liga side Real Sociedad on a season-long loan.
Read more »
Kieran Tierney move can create transfer domino effect to help Arsenal land Martin ZubimendiKieran Tierney's departure could kick off a transfer domino effect that would see Arsenal land their perfect Thomas Partey successor.
Read more »
Arsenal news: Pundit can't believe Kieran Tierney latestFootball Insider has been told by Alan Hutton that he can't believe how Kieran Tierney is being treated at Arsenal ahead of a potential exit.
Read more »
Celtic transfer state of play on Haksabanovic, Lyanco, Palma and TierneyIt's set to be a busy end to the transfer window for the Scottish champions with deadline day approaching.
Read more »
Ex-Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand emerges as Manchester United target after Luke Shaw injuryPlus: Tottenhams hopes of offloading Sergio Reguilon collapse after Real Sociedad agree loan signing of Arsenals Kieran Tierney; Burnley have had an offer around £17m rejected by PSV Eindhoven for Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko
Read more »
Ex-Chelsea defender Ryan Bertrand emerges as Manchester United target after Luke Shaw injuryPlus: Tottenhams hopes of offloading Sergio Reguilon collapse after Real Sociedad agree loan signing of Arsenals Kieran Tierney; Burnley have had an offer around £17m rejected by PSV Eindhoven for Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko
Read more »