Arsenal have completed the signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported £27million.
The Belgium international has agreed a long-term deal at Emirates Stadium, which is thought to run through until July 2027.
Premier League leaders Arsenal confirmed the news on their official website on Friday, with the versatile midfielder eligible to play against Manchester United this weekend.
It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro, Mikel Arteta said.
He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.
Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him.
Arsenal made no secret of their desire to bring in attacking reinforcements this month, with Mykhaylo Mudryk initially seen to be their primary target.
But Chelsea beat them to the signing of the Ukraine international last week despite Mudryk appearing eager to move to north London.
Shakhtar Donetsk confirmed Arsenal matched the reported £89m (€100m) bid of Chelsea in monetary terms, but they felt the variables and bonuses in the Blues offer were more realistic.
However, some might feel Trossard is a less risky signing and represents better value.
Arsenal are thought to have been keen on Trossard since before he joined Brighton from Genk in 2019, and at the Amex Stadium he has blossomed into a high-level winger who offers both a goalscoring threat and creativity.
Since the start of last season, Trossard is one of just seven players to score at least 14 Premier League goals (excluding penalties) and create more than 65 chances in open play – the others are Harry Kane, Mohamed Salah, Kevin De Bruyne, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Bruno Fernandes.
Arsenal s north London rivals Tottenham had also been credited with an interest, though recent reports suggested a £12m bid by Spurs was laughed off .
Trossard had been keen to leave Brighton after falling out with head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who criticised the winger s attitude earlier this month after taking him out of the team.
