Arsenal
[Photos] German Star Snapped In Arsenal Kit After £35m Move Is Confirmed
Arsenal have announced that German international centre-back Shkodran Mustafi has joined the club from Valencia on a long-term deal. See photos here
The transfer window is now drawing to a close so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal confirm the signing of Shkodran Mustafi…
Arsenal have announced on Arsenal.com that German international centre-back Shkodran Mustafi has joined the club from Valencia on a long-term deal.
Arsene Wenger has been desperately trying to bring in another central defender after losing Gabriel and Per Mertesacker to serious injury during pre-season and Mustafi emerged as his prime target.
We were locked in negotiations with Valencia for some time but the Telegraph reported late last week that we’ve found a breakthrough after agreeing on a deal that could reach £35m for the defender.
Mustafi flew-in to London on Friday to undergo his medical at London Colney and Wenger confirmed over the weekend that the 24-year-old was on the verge of joining the club with only paperwork left to do.
The German FA announced the move on Sunday and then the player himself told Sky Sports Germany on Monday that he was an Arsenal player all before the deal had been officially announced by Arsenal.
However, we finally confirmed the worst kept secret in football on Tuesday night with Wenger telling Arsenal.com that we’ve signed a ‘great player’:
“He [Mustafi] is at the right age. He has good experience. He is a very focused player who can play with the ball as well. We have taken a great player but have prepared well for the future.”
Mustafi has developed in to one of the best defenders in Spanish football over the past two seasons and is a full German international with a bright future ahead of him, so I think he’s going to be a superb signing for the club.
Striker poses in Arsenal kit after completing £17m move
He’s currently away on international duty with the German squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier so he’s not going to have a lot of time to train with his new team mates ahead of our clash with Southampton next weekend, so we’ll have to wait and see whether Wenger decides to throw him straight in to action.
Check out Mustafi in his new shirt courtesy of Arsenal.com:
