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Tag: Norgaard

  • Arsenal sign Norgaard to strengthen midfield

    Arsenal sign Norgaard to strengthen midfield

    Arsenal have signed Christian Norgaard from Brentford, the two Premier League clubs said on Thursday as the North London club continues to strengthen the midfield following close-season departures.

    Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said Arsenal paid an initial fee of 10 million pounds ($13.60 million) to sign the 31-year-old Denmark international on a two-year deal with an option for a third year.

    “He is an international player with a wealth of experience of the Premier League. He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said in a statement.

    “He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility. He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance. Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch.”

    Norgaard is Arsenal’s third recruit in the close season after they signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea and defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.

    Arsenal have effectively replaced Jorginho and Thomas Partey after the two midfielders’ contracts ran out at the end of June.

    Read Also: Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi

    Norgaard, who spent six years at Brentford and helped them gain promotion to the Premier League in 2021, was also the club’s captain in the last two seasons.

    An ever-reliable central midfielder in the Brentford squad, Norgaard has made 122 Premier League appearances in four seasons.

    He will be a welcome addition to Arsenal as they compete on multiple fronts and said the opportunity to play in the Champions League was too good to resist.

    “Now, I get to hear the anthem and be a part of a Champions League campaign. It’s a childhood dream and something I didn’t think would be possible. So it’s something I’m really, really happy about,” he said.

    The Dane has made more interceptions than any other player since his Premier League debut in 2021.

    Arsenal begin their Premier League campaign on August 17 when they travel to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United.

  • Arsenal agree Norgaard deal

    Arsenal agree Norgaard deal

    Arsenal have agreed a deal with Brentford to sign midfielder Christian Norgaard.

    Sources have indicated the Gunners have been discussing a fee worth in the region of an initial £10m, with a possible £5m in performance-related add-ons.

    The move for Norgaard comes just a week before Thomas Partey’s Arsenal contract expires.

    Ghana international Partey, 32, has been in talks over a new deal to stay at Emirates Stadium, but no agreement has been reached.

    BBC Sport understands Sevilla’s French midfielder Lucien Agoume, 23, also featured prominently on Arsenal’s list of potential targets to replace Partey.

    Crucially, however, it is understood manager Mikel Arteta identified Norgaard as the midfielder he wanted because he preferred a Premier League-ready player.

    Club-to-club discussions over the Denmark international have accelerated in the last 24 hours and a deal is now in place.

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    The 31-year-old, who joined Brentford from Fiorentina in 2019, will now undergo a medical before completing his move.

    Norgaard wasn’t a long-term Arsenal target, but entered the club’s radar as they sought experience in midfield ahead of Partey’s potential departure.

    Norgaard became a key player for the Bees and captain under Thomas Frank, who left to become manager of Tottenham earlier in June.

    Arsenal are also set to complete the signing of Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga this week by paying his £5m release clause and are close to finalising the £51m signing of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.