Arsenal complete Sebastien Squillaci signing
English Premier League giants Arsenal today announced they have completed the signing of Sebastien Squillaci from Sevilla. The fee is undisclosed, but the player is said to have cost the Gunners around £5.5m.
The 30-year-old France international defender had reportedly been offered a three-year deal by boss Arsene Wenger, who told a press conference today that: "We needed a centre-back of quality and experience, and at the right price — he was all of that."
Wenger has been looking to improve his defensive options after the departures of three veteran central defenders this summer — Sol Campbell, William Gallas and Mikael Silvestre — along with Philippe Senderos. He snapped up Laurent Koscielny from Lorient while Johan Djourou made a comeback from a long-term injury at the end of the 2009-10 EPL campaign. After securing the services of Squillaci, Wenger now has four recognised centre-backs.
Squillaci will bring some much-needed steel to the back line. Wenger added that: "He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well. I believe he will be suited to the English game. He will train with us on Friday morning, but will not be involved on Saturday. I made a bid on the day Sevilla played in the Champions League, so he did not play as he was waiting for the transfer."
The player has been with Sevilla for two seasons after joining up from Les Gones. He asked to be left out of the La Liga outfit’s UEFA Champions League squad to face Braga in a play-off last week so he would be able to feature for another club in European competition and avoid any potential sticking points in obtaining a transfer.
Squillaci has played for France 21 times since making his debut last year, and was part of the squad which made the ill-fated trip to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
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