July 06, (THEWILL) — Arsenal have completed the signing of Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for a reported fee of £55 million.
The Spanish midfielder arrives following prolonged negotiations, with the Gunners said to have paid above his release clause to allow for a structured instalment plan rather than a lump-sum payment.
The deal comes at a critical time for the North London club, who have seen midfielders Thomas Partey and Jorginho depart after the expiry of their contracts.
Zubimendi’s arrival provides manager Mikel Arteta with a technically astute replacement as Arsenal seek to challenge Liverpool for the English Premier League title in the upcoming season.
“This is a huge moment in my career,” said the 26-year-old during his unveiling. “It is the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are.”
The Spaniard added that Arsenal’s playing style aligns well with his strengths and that he believes “the best is yet to come.”
Zubimendi leaves Real Sociedad having made 236 appearances, scoring 10 goals and providing nine assists. He played a crucial role in the club’s Copa del Rey victory in 2020, which ended a 34-year wait for silverware.
His consistent performances also earned him a place in Spain’s squad for the UEFA European Championship in 2024, which they won, following their Nations League triumph in 2023.
Arsenal will begin their pre-season preparations with a fixture against AC Milan on July 23.
Zubimendi is expected to be part of the squad travelling for the summer tour as he integrates into a team eager to improve on last season’s second-place finish.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
