By Wayne Veysey, Goal.com
Mesut Ozil has sealed a spectacular 40 million pound move to Arsenal after signing a five-year contract.
The Gunners have smashed their transfer record to land the Germany international, who underwent the second part of his medical in Munich on Monday after agreeing personal terms with the club.
“We are extremely pleased to have signed Mesut Ozil," Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger said. "He is a great player, with proven quality at both club and international level. We have watched and admired him for some time as he has all the attributes I look for in an Arsenal player."
Goal has learned that Ozil has signed a deal worth £130,000-a-week that will run until 2018 after Real Madrid gave the green light to his departure.
He has comfortably become Arsenal’s highest-paid player as well as the club’s record signing, after Wenger sanctioned the first £20m-plus transfer in their history.
THE VIEW FROM GERMANY
For the majority of people in Germany Mesut Ozil’s move to Arsenal has come as a huge surprise. Arsenal is a well-respected club in Germany but is no longer considered in the same class as Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich or Barcelona.
However, with the World Cup coming up next summer it is essential Ozil is playing first team football on a regular basis as he is a fundamental part of the national team. Certainly his arrival will be a massive signing for the Gunners – this is a game-changing move from Arsene Wenger.
- Hassan Talib Haji | Goal Germany
Goal revealed on Sunday that Arsenal was in advanced discussions with Real to sign Ozil before Monday night’s transfer deadline.
The two clubs agreed a £40m fee before Ozil’s representatives began discussing personal terms with senior Arsenal officials.
An agreement was reached late on Monday morning, as was revealed by Goal, before Ozil underwent medical tests in Germany, where he had been based as the national team prepare for their forthcoming World Cup qualifiers.
“I am thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League," Ozil said. "It will be great for my own personal development as a player and I am particularly looking forward to working with Arsène Wenger."
Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano passed a medical on Monday morning, and agreed the terms of a season-long loan from Palermo.
Follow Wayne Veysey on Twitter
Related
Before You Go
