Brighton attacker Leandro Trossard has joined Arsenal for a fee of £27 million.
The Gunners will pay £20 million upfront, with an additional £7 million in add-ons. Arsenal and Mikel Arteta believe they completed the paperwork in time for Trossard to face Manchester United on Super Sunday.
The 28-year-old has agreed to a four-and-a-half-year contract extension with a one-year option.
“We are very happy to have him,” Arteta said ahead of the game against United.
“He’s a player we’ve been watching for a while. The opportunity presented itself, and we now have a need for a front-line player who is versatile enough to play in multiple positions. He is familiar with the league, has prior experience here, and can make an immediate impact on the team.
“We must consider not only the short term, but also the medium and long term. He gives us everything. When you look at his career and what he’s done in the last few years, he’s definitely a player who fits our style of play.”
Trossard will reunite with his former manager at Genk and Arteta’s assistant Albert Stuivenberg in north London, with Arteta revealing that his No 2 “gave me a good reference, not just now but for a good few years”.
Meanwhile, Trossard told the Arsenal website about the club’s coaching staff: “They told me they like me as a player and that I would be a good fit for the system and the way they want to play.
Leandro Trossard Transfer | Arteta’s Statement
“It helps that I’m versatile and can play in a variety of positions. They’re excited to collaborate with me, and I’m excited to collaborate with them. I’m very excited to work with them, and Mikel [Arteta] is a fantastic coach.
“I prefer to play in the pocket behind the striker. On the wings, I can also explore myself. I’m comfortable in either position, but if I had to pick one, it would be behind the striker – but it all depends on the system.
“This has been my best season in the Premier League until now. We did an excellent job in Brighton, and my grades have been excellent. Obviously, due to my situation [at Brighton], I haven’t played much since the World Cup, but I’m so excited to start at Arsenal and prove myself at a top club to help the team.”
Arsenal pursued the Belgian international after Chelsea signed Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk on January 15.
