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Andre Santos....Gunners’ new recruit |
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has signed Brazilian defender Andre Santos from Fenerbahce yesterday.
Wenger has been forced to make a series of last-ditch deals before yesterday’s 2200GMT deadline after Arsenal’s miserable start to the season and Santos follows South Korea captain Park Chu-Young, who joined from Monaco on Tuesday, into the Emirates Stadium.
Santos, 28, is believed to have cost £6.2mn and Wenger said: “Santos is a quality player, with the ability to both defend well and get forward and help with attacks.
“He has experience in the Champions League and for Brazil and has proven he can deliver at the highest level.”
Santos is likely to go straight into the team after the international break as Arsenal’s only other senior left-back, Kieran Gibbs, has been struggling with injury.
“It was one of my dreams to play for a major European football club and I have accomplished this. I am very happy to be part of this team,” Santos said.
Wenger also hopes to bring in Germany defender Mertesacker for around £8mn as he tries to shore up a leaky defence that shipped eight goals at Manchester United on Sunday.
Across north London, Tottenham finally completed the signing of England midfielder Scott Parker from West Ham in a deal believed to be worth £6 million.
The 30-year-old, named the English Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year last season, was a long-term target for Harry Redknapp and the Spurs manager said: “He’s a good player. I think he’s what we need.
“He’ll be a good addition for this team, no doubt about that.”