Arsenal have confirmed the deadline day addition of Chelsea midfielder Jorginho on a 1.5 year deal, with the Italian becoming the Gunners third addition of the January transfer window.
The midfielder, who has fallen out of favour with Graham Potter, had entered the final six months of his contract at Stamford Bridge and was set to leave on a free transfer this summer, with no new deal having been agreed.
Mikel Arteta has been a long-term admirer of the midfielder, and moved to sign the 31-year-old after talks with Brighton for midfielder Moises Caicedo broke down, with the Seagulls demanding close to £100m to release the 21-year-old this January.
Jorginho, who will provide cover for Thomas Partey following the season-ending injury to Mohamed Elneny, has penned a 1.5 year contract with the Gunners, with the option for an extra year should he impress, with Arsenal stumping up £11m plus a further £2m in performance-related add-ons for his services.
The Italian becomes Mikel Arteta’s third signing of the January transfer window, with Leandro Trossard having joined from Brighton and Jakub Kiwior having arrived from Spezia in the last month.
And, he is set to offer experienced midfield cover as well as act as another leader in the dressing room, with the Arsenal players thought to be happy with the move as Jorginho brings “technical ability, tactical understanding, and an experience level ideal for title bid”.
Edu said: “Jorginho is an established professional with a strong mentality who brings quality and experience. He is a player who fits our style of play, and he joins us at a very good moment where he can contribute in a key position to help maintain our momentum.”
Mikel Arteta added: “Jorginho is a midfield player with intelligence, deep leadership skills and a huge amount of Premier League and international experience. Jorginho has won in his career, but he still has the hunger and huge willingness to contribute here.
“We are so pleased to sign Jorginho and welcome him and his family to the club.”
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