Koln striker Lukas Podolski set for summer move to Arsenal
German Bundesliga club FC Koln have revealed Lukas Podolski will be joining Arsenal in the summer for an undisclosed fee.
The club’s executive chairman Claus Horstmann told Koln’s official website that the German club had offered Podolski an extended contract but it was rejected and that the striker will be moving on in the summer.
“We deeply regret his step, which is not a decision against [the club] but for the good of his own career.” Horstmann told. “Koln were prepared to extend Lukas Podolski’s contract on the basis of a competitive offer.
“Nonetheless, this early transfer decision offers scope and planning security for the next season. We will jump at this opportunity to reinvest these transfer earnings back into our team’s quality and into the promotion of our youth squads.
“Lukas has helped the club in many difficult situations, Lukas has left a mark on Koln’s reputation and we feel the need to thank him for numerous great football experiences at Koln.”
The 26-year-old had made 87 first-team appearances for Koln since joining the German club in 2009, hitting the back of the net 33 times in the process.
Podolski commented on his upcoming transfer to the Emirates Stadium in an interview with Koln’s official website. “I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal and to play in the Premier League. Arsenal is one of the top clubs in Europe with a huge history.
“There are many top quality players at Arsenal and the style of football which the team plays is fantastic. I’m proud to become an Arsenal player and am looking forward to playing my first match at Emirates Stadium and doing my best for all the Arsenal fans.”
Although undisclosed, Arsenal are thought to be set to pay £10million for the striker, a transfer fee that looks out of place in an Arsenal side that is in desperate need of financial rejuvenation.
