A strong and positive character – Mikel Merino the perfect fit for Arsenal

An settlement in precept was struck on Thursday evening between the golf equipment for an preliminary £28.4million switch with an additional £4.2m in add-ons, the PA information company understands.

Merino accomplished his medical over the weekend and has been unveiled as an Arsenal participant on a long-term contract.

Boss Mikel Arteta informed the membership’s official web site: “Mikel is a participant who will carry us large high quality along with his expertise and flexibility.

“He has performed on the high of the sport at each membership and worldwide stage for plenty of seasons now.

“Mikel will make our squad considerably stronger, along with his technical capacity, collectively along with his robust and optimistic character and persona.

“As all of us noticed in the summertime, Mikel can also be a winner, along with his robust performances all through the Euros serving to Spain win the event.

“We’re delighted to welcome Mikel and his household to the membership and might’t wait to begin working with him.”

The 28-year-old began his profession at Osasuna earlier than transient spells with Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle adopted.

After a solitary season with Newcastle beneath Rafael Benitez, Merino returned to Spain to hitch Sociedad the place he established himself as the most effective midfielders within the nation.

Worldwide recognition adopted and after Merino helped Spain win an Olympic gold at Tokyo in 2021, he performed a key position within the nation’s Euro 2024 triumph final month and scored a 119th-minute winner towards Germany within the final eight.

Merino departs Sociedad after 242 appearances, scoring 27 targets, and turns into Arsenal’s second main summer time signing after Italy defender Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna.

Arsenal sporting director Edu stated: “We’re so comfortable to have accomplished the switch of Mikel Merino. This has been one other nice workforce effort from many individuals on the membership to finalise the switch of a participant who attracted curiosity from plenty of golf equipment over the summer time.

“Mikel was a key goal for us this summer time, and we recognized him as a participant who can match completely into our squad and profile to enhance us, as we purpose to construct on our robust performances of final season.

“With Mikel’s arrival, he brings us an added top quality of expertise, physicality and athleticism as we stay up for this season forward.

“We welcome Mikel and his household to the membership, and stay up for seeing him play within the Arsenal shirt.”