You have to have both short-term and long-term future in check – and Brentford are indeed doing so. The red and whites from London confirmed the signing of Albanian international goalkeeper Tomas Strakosha on the same day they were given permission to build a brand new training facility.The 27-year-old – who joins on a free transfer from Lazio – has played more than 200 times for the Roman club while also earning 19 caps for his country. In the next few days, he will join his new teammates at their pre-season training camp in Germany.✍ Welcome to Brentford, Thomas Strakosha#StrakoshaSigns pic.twitter.com/3mYtapDAql— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) July 14, 2022 Athens-born Strakosha’s 2020/2021 season was hampered by injury, but he cemented his role as Lazio’s starting goalkeeper on return, playing the last 23 Serie A games en route to a fifth-place finish last season.Coach Thomas Frank welcomed the signing as the team prepares to avoid becoming an example of the famed “second season syndrome”, according to which the Premier League newcomers are increasingly likely to go down in their second season in the Premier League.”I am pleased that we have managed to sign a top goalkeeper. He has been number one at Lazio for a long time, which is very impressive. He has played in Serie A and European competitions and will bring that experience. He fits our goalkeeper model and comes into a good environment with David Raya and Matthew Cox pushing each other daily.”##NAJAVA_MECA_6506626##Strakosha’s signing came on the same day his new club announced they had moved a step closer to a “significant improvement” to their training facilities.The local council has granted planning permission for new, temporary facilities in a proposal now subject to approval by the Mayor of London. Brentford expect the new facilities to be operational by the end of the year and in use for five years, with a long-term vision to build a permanent facility.It’s all about building a future – and the Bees have made much progress today.
