Arsenal have made their first big signing of the transfer window, bringing in Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech for an undisclosed fee thought to be in the region of £11m.
The 33-year-old has signed what the club describe as “a long-term deal”, and confirmed the news via his personal Twitter account.
Very happy to announce that I have signed with @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/msvjEpyO36
— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) June 29, 2015
“When Arsène Wenger spoke to me about his ambitions for this club, and how he saw me as part of this team, the decision was clear,” Cech told Arsenal.com.
He also had a heartfelt personal message to Chelsea fans, after ending his 11-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
My personal message to @ChelseaFC fans pic.twitter.com/NYPD34Vuag
— Petr Cech (@PetrCech) June 29, 2015
It marks a sharp turnaround from March 2013, when Cech said he “[couldn’t] even imagine” joining the Gunners.
Or from December of the same year, when the Czech Republic international said: “In the end you count the titles and if you have figure skating where you are judged by how nicely your routine is then obviously that is one point. But football is about points and goals and you need to get points to win trophies.”
Arsenal’s fans have welcomed their new recruit on social media.
@Arsenal @PetrCech I am absolutely elated! #WelcomeCech
— Rónán [Little Seal] (@SeaIti) June 29, 2015
Class signing this is. His experience at the back will be really vital for us next season. #WelcomeCech
— Adnan Salman (@adnan2205) June 29, 2015
While his Premier League peers have done the same…
@PetrCech congrats big man. You deserve to be playing #Legend
— Kasper Schmeichel (@kschmeichel1) June 29, 2015
It’s always a sign that you’ve done good business when fans of a player’s previous club are upset, and this is a perfect example.
https://twitter.com/Mourinholic/status/615528671005306880
