Second defender joins Arsenal
Arsenal have announced the signing of German defender Per Mertesacker, with the deal thought to be worth around £10 million.
The 26-year-old will bring a significant amount of experience to the club, and will also bring the leadership and height they have lacked in the heart of their defence.
The 6ft 6inches defender enjoyed eight seasons in the Bundesliga, spending five with Werder Breman whom he joined after three seasons at Hannover 96. He made 221 league appearances in total and scored on 19 occasions. The giant German international captained Werder Breman, where he played 53 times in Europe, including their 2009 triumph in the Europa League Final.
Mertesacker has represented Germany 75 times, in which he helped his country to the Semi-finals of the 2006 and 2010 World Cups and to the final of the 2008 European Championship.
The deal is subject to the completion of formal registration processes.
