Arsenal and the Premier League have confirmed that the Russian has finally swapped Zenit St. Petersburg for the Premier League and signed for the north London outfit, in a move that Sky Sports News reports as being worth £17 million.
A club statement from the Gunners, released in the last few minutes, read: "Arsenal FC is delighted to announce that Andrei Arshavin has joined from Zenit St. Petersburg on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee."
The Premier League reportedly ratified the paperwork this afternoon, and the player can now, at last, ink a deal that Zenit affirm has cost Arsenal £16.95 million.
That fee breaks down into a £15 million transfer fee, with a further £1.5 million paid as compensation for the player breaking a long-term contract. In addition, Zenit will receive a £450,000 as an 'unpaid bonus' that Arshavin would have received were he to have remained in St. Petersburg.
Outside the Emirates Stadium, where eager Arsenal fans shivered in the cold on the streets where many had been waiting for final confirmation of the deal, news of the signing was received with enthusiasm. Fans spoke warmly of Arshavin's "experience" and "pace", saying that the Russian would provide a "massive boost" in the side's hunt for fourth place in the Premier League, and would certainly prove a "good signing."
Arshavin will wear the number 23 shirt for the Gunners.
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