Arsenal has finally confirmed the signing of Ex-Chelsea star, Willian Borges on a three-year deal, with an option for a further one-year at the expiration of the three years.
Willian Borges as we earlier reported, will also be earning £220,000-per-week on his three-year deal, making him one of the highest-paid in the Arsenal squad. The club who are reportedly struggling with finances, will end up paying Willian £35million, even with the redundancy proposal.
The signing of the former Chelsea man, who is 32-year-old was confirmed on Friday 14th August 2020, by both manager, Mikel Arteta and Technical Director, and former Brazilian international, Edu.
Although the move to sign Willian Borges given his age and when there are better and much younger alternatives around, have been condemned by some section of Arsenal fans, the Brazilian without doubt, is coming to the club with a lot of experience, especially after spending seven years at Chelsea.
He is coming into the Arsenal team, having won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and the Europa League. He made 339 appearances, with 63 goals and 56 assists in that time.
Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta while speaking on the arrival of Willian Borges, said:
“I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us,”
“We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions.
He has the experience of everything in the football world but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs. I have been really impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.”
Technical director Edu said: “I know him very well, since a long time ago because we’ve been working together for the Brazilian national team and of course I was following him because he played for another club. He has a lot of fantastic attributes as a person, as a football player of course, his character. I’m 100 per cent sure that everybody in the dressing room, the fans, myself and Mikel will enjoy having Willian in our side.“
Willian will wear the number 12 shirt.