Arsenal confirm Santi Cazorla signing

Santi Cazorla

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga on a long-term deal.

The 27-seven-year-old joins the North London club for an undisclosed fee but reports have suggested a fee in the region of £15million for the creative midfielder.

Cazorla had only been with Malaga for a season after signing for Malaga from Villarreal for €19milion, but with Malaga in desperate financial trouble selling their star player was the only way to alleviate their problems.

The midfielder has made 45 appearances for Spain and was part of the squads that won both the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. He brings much needed experience to a squad that has often relied on the exuberance of youth in the past few seasons and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s website he was delighted with the signing.

"Santi Cazorla is a great signing for us. He is a player with good experience at both club and international level, who will add significant quality to our squad.

With Arsenal set to lose captain Robin Van Persie before the transfer window closes at the end of August, Wenger has moved quickly to replenish his squad and avoid a repeat of the Samir Nasri – Cesc Fabregas transfer debacle of last season.

"He is a versatile, attacking midfield player who can play comfortably on either side of the pitch or centrally. He has good pace, is technically gifted and will be a huge asset to Arsenal Football Club.
We are delighted that he is joining us,” Wenger added.

Cazorla, who was voted Spanish Player of the Year in 2007,told the Arsenal website: "I'm so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a club with great players, a fantastic stadium and huge support. The Club has one of the best managers in football and their style of play is recognised and admired all over the world.

"I'm so excited to be joining one of the greatest teams in Europe and also in the Premier League. I will do my best to help Arsenal challenge for trophies and make all the supporters happy."

Arsenal are also expected to complete the signing of Turkish midfielder Nuri Sahin on loan from Rael Madrid in the coming days. The two clubs are locked in negotiations for the midfielder but talks are progressing longer than usual with Madrid reluctant to agree to a future transfer fee that Arsenal are insentient upon.

Philip Wicinski

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