Arsenal have completed the £12million signing of Brentford captain Christian Norgaard.
Arsenal will pay an initial £10m fee for the Denmark international with a further £2m in additional payments, as per The Athletic.
The Gunners confirmed the news on Thursday morning, with the Dane becoming Mikel Arteta‘s latest summer signing.
Speaking after the deal was announced, Arteta hailed his new recruit as he said: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Christian to Arsenal.
‘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.
‘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.
Arsenal have completed the £12million signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford
Norgaard has become Mikel Arteta’s third signing of the summer transfer window
Both Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta hailed Norgaard’s Premier League experience
‘Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch, and we’re excited to start working with him in this next chapter of his career.’
Sporting director Andrea Berta added: ‘We’re very pleased to welcome Christian Norgaard to the club. He has been a consistent high performer in the Premier League and brings many qualities to our club.
‘He is a leader, and a player with high tactical intelligence and versatility who will have a very positive impact to the squad. We welcome Christian to Arsenal.’
Norgaard had signed a new two-year deal at Brentford in March because he did not want to uproot his family amid serious interest from Benfica.
He joined Brentford in 2019 and was hugely influential in their rise to the Premier League, making 196 appearances in total.
Norgaard was then appointed as captain by former Bees and now Tottenham boss Thomas Frank in 2023.
Last season, Norgaard played 34 times in the Premier League and also chipped in with five goals, his highest tally for the club.
He is the Gunners’ third signing of the summer, as Arteta’s side look to take the next step after being Premier League runners-up for the past three seasons.
The Danish midfielder, 31, will wear the No 16 shirt at the Emirates Stadium next season
Norgaard will strengthen Arteta’s midfield and brings proven Premier League experience
Norgaard made 196 appearances for Brentford and was an influential figure in the club’s rise
Arsenal’s most eye-catching addition to date is the £60m signing of Real Sociedad and Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, who had been a long-term target for the club.
The Gunners have also signed Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea for £5m, with the shot stopper set to serve as David Raya’s understudy.
Arsenal are hoping to finalise a deal for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres in a deal worth up to £70m, with a forward having been a key priority this summer.
Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has reportedly also agreed personal terms with Arsenal ahead of a proposed move.
Norgaard and Zubimendi’s arrivals come at a time of upheaval in Arsenal’s midfield, following the departures of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
Partey, who spent who spent five seasons in north London, saw his contract end on June 30.
Just three days after his contract expired, Partey was charged with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. Partey is accused of attacking three women between 2021 and 2022.
He will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
‘The player’s contract ended on June 30. Due to ongoing legal proceedings the club is unable to comment on the case,’ a club statement read on Friday.
