OFFICIAL: Arsenal confirm Trossard signing for £27m

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 20 Jan 2023 17:25 GMT
• 4 min read

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Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Leandro Trossard from Brighton on a four-and-a-half year deal.

The 28-year old has signed for an initial fee of £21 million, with an additional £6m in bonuses after falling out with Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi in recent weeks.

Trossard’s contract with Brighton was due to expire next summer but he made it clear he was not willing to sign a new deal and De Zerbi ordered his top scorer to train alone after being disappointed with the Belgian’s attitude since the World Cup.

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The Belgian made an excellent start to the 2022-23 season under Graham Potter and has scored seven goals so far this season but had fallen out of favour under De Zerbi with his contract status uncertain.

Arsenal moved for Trossard following their failure to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the 22-year-old signing for Chelsea for £88m at the eleventh hour despite the Gunners seemingly thinking they had secured the Ukrainian forward.

Arsenal sporting director Edu Gaspar said: "We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Leandro Trossard. We have a clear plan and strategy for our direction, and it’s been a great team effort in bringing Leandro to the club.

"Leandro is a player who will give us a high level of quality going forward. I know Mikel and our coaches are excited to start working with him."

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added: “It is good work from everyone at the club to complete the signing of Leandro. He is a versatile player with high technical ability, intelligence and a great deal of experience in the Premier League and at international level.

"Leandro strengthens our squad as we head into the second part of the season and we’re all looking forward to working with him."

Trossard will be available for Arsenal’s game against Manchester United on Sunday after the club confirmed the registration had been submitted to the Premier League prior to Friday’s deadline.

READ: How Arsenal could line up with Leandro Trossard

Trossard leaves Brighton

De Zerbi's relationship with Trossard deteriorated quickly in recent weeks, with the forward sold swiftly after these damning quotes on Tuesday.

''Nothing serious happened with Trossard. But recently, he didn’t give 100 per cent in training and on matchday, that’s it on my side,'' the Seagulls boss told Repubblica.

''Football deserves respect. I don’t have to apologise for anything."

De Zerbi added: ''Maybe his agent fancies selling him for a lower transfer fee… surely, Trossard didn’t tell me the truth.

''Everyone in the dressing room knows how things went. But if Trossand wants to rejoin us with the right attitude, I am happy to coach him.''

Brighton have only enhanced their reputation of mastering the transfer market by getting nearly £30m for an unhappy player, close to the end of his contract.