Jorginho joins the Gunners; Arsenal from Chelsea.
Arsenal has signed Jorginho from Chelsea in a Deadline Day deal worth £12 million, strengthening their midfield ahead of a title challenge.
The 31-year-old Italian midfielder has agreed to an 18-month contract extension with an option for another year.
Jorginho was in the final six months of his Chelsea contract, and the Blues were attempting to sign Benfica central midfielder Enzo Fernandez in a British record transfer.
Arsenal attempted to sign Jorginho from Chelsea in the summer of 2020, just after he won the Champions League with the Blues and the year before he lifted the European Championships with Italy, under Mikel Arteta.
Arteta was also an assistant coach at Manchester City when they tried to sign him in 2018, but the midfilder chose to join Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea instead.
The Italian said of Arteta in a statement to the Arsenal website. His statement was: “He was a significant influence because I know he tried to acquire me a few times before. And it didn’t happen due to other reasons, not because of my wishes.
“I’m very excited for this new challenge. I honestly can’t wait to be on the pitch!” Everything happened so quickly. I was surprised, but I took advantage of this incredible opportunity.”
