David Luiz completes shock move from Chelsea to Arsenal
Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea defender David Luiz, it has been confirmed.
Luiz emerged as a shock target for Unai Emery’s side recently, and the two clubs confirmed an agreement had been reached on Deadline Day.
He is reunited with Emery, who was his manager at Paris St Germain. Emery told Arsenal’s official website: “David has huge experience and I look forward to working with him again. He is a well known player and adds to our defensive strength.”
The fee is reported to be £8m, and the centre-back will wear the number 23 shirt at Arsenal.
Luiz’s switch across London is one of the shock moves of the summer window, but he made it clear he wanted to make it happen when he did not train with Frank Lampard’s team on Wednesday.
The 32-year-old spent seven years across two spells with the Blues, winning six major trophies, but it is unlikely he will now be remembered fondly by the club’s supporters given the manner of his exit and his destination.
Luiz adds experience to the Gunners’ back line following the sale of captain Laurent Koscielny, who also forced his way out of the club to join Bordeaux.