Arsenal have signed Ukraine’s Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City on a four-year contract for £32m.
Zinchenko joined Man City in July 2016 from Russian club – Ufa and has gone on to score twice in 128 appearances, during which he helped City to four Premier League and EFL Cup titles plus 2018-19 FA Cup and 2019 Community Shield honours.
The Ukraine international also established himself as a versatile player at City who can play as a left fullback or wing-back, as well as an attacking midfielder if required depending on tactics and team formation.
Zinchenko’s decision to move to Arsenal will also reunite him with City’s former assistant manager, Mikel Arteta, as well as former City teammate, Gabriel Jesus who moved to the Gunners earlier this month.
Arsenal will pay an initial £30m transfer fee plus £2m in add-ons, consequently meaning that they will pay £32m in total for Zinchenko.
Speaking about his latest signing, a “happy” Arteta commented: “He’s a player that I personally know really well and continued to follow him after my time at Manchester City.
“Alex is a high quality player who will give us options and versatility. It’s not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence.
Arteta also praised Zinchenko for his “great human qualities and character,” which will add extra energy to the Arsenal dressing room.
Zinchenko began his career at his local team, Youth Sporitve School Karpatiya before playing for Monolit Illichivsk and Shakhtar Donetsk, although he left the latter club due to a war in Donbas which led to him and his family fleeing to Russia despite him being contracted to Shakhtar.
Zinchenko consequently went on to play for Ufa before he signed for Man City, with the Ukrainian now set for his competitive Arsenal debut away to Crystal Palace in the opening match of 2022-23 Premier League season live on Sky Sports on Friday 5 August.
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