Arsenal complete the deal to sign France international defender Mathieu Debuchy from fellow English Premier League side Newcastle United on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be at £12m.
The former Magpies right back, who spent last month with his national team at the World Cup in Brazil, will move to the Emirates Stadium after constant rumors linked him to the North London club.
The 28-year-old Les Blues defender, who played nine years for Ligue 1 side Lille, will join Arsene Wenger's team as he replaces the departed Bacary Sagna, who left for title-holders Manchester City as a free agent.
In a statement made on the team's official website, Debuchy said: “I’m very proud to be joining a great club like Arsenal and to wear its colours, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the whole world."
OFFICIAL: Arsenal sign Mathieu Debuchy
Arsenal sign defender Mathieu Debuchy for £12m from Newcastle #SSN
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 17, 2014
Leave your welcome messages for @Arsenal's new signing, @matdebuchy, using our special hashtag #WelcomeDebuchy pic.twitter.com/imLa4tO9cs
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) July 17, 2014
Arsenal player Lukas Podolski welcomes Debuchy to the Emirates
Welcome / Bienvenue Mathieu Debuchy ! #AFC #COYG #redarmy #gunners
— Lukas-Podolski.com (@Podolski10) July 17, 2014
"I’m looking forward to working with Arsène Wenger and to helping the team build on last season’s FA Cup success. Playing again in the Champions League is a big excitement for me and I will do my best to help Arsenal compete for trophies.”
The long-serving French manager expressed his joy in acquiring the defender's services, stating: "We are delighted to welcome Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal Football Club."
"He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France. He is a quality defender who has good Premier League experience and I’m confident he will fit in very well with us.”
Debuchy is the second major summer signing by Arsenal as the announcement comes one week after the 2014 FA Cup champions signed Chilean forward Alexis Sanchez for a believed fee of around £35m.
Debuchy will leave the St. James' Park after 18 months at Newcastle, and is expected to make his Arsenal debut in the Emirates Cup, beginning in August.
