English Premier League club side, Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Lille and Brazilian central defender, Gabriel Magalhaes on a long-term contract.
According to the statement released on the official website of Arsenal football club, the long-term contract agreed with the Brazilian and former Lille defender, is subject to the completion of regulatory processes. But the player has been unveiled officially on their social media handles.
The London club in their announcement on Tuesday 1st September 2020, said the 22-year-old Magalhaes will wear the jersey number 6, and will be joining other players and Brazilians on the Arsenal team.
While speaking on the signing of Gabriel Magalhaes, Arsenal’s Technical Director who also is a Brazilian and former player, Edu said:
“We are delighted to have signed Gabriel. He is a player we have been studying for a while and he was in demand from many clubs, so we are proud to have agreed and completed this transfer with Lille and the player.
Gabriel is a player of high quality and Mikel and his coaches are looking forward to integrating him into the club,” he added.
On his part, Mikel Arteta whose arrival at Arsenal has seen him win the FA Cup and the Community Shield in less than 12-months, said:
“We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal. He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team. He has proved with Lille that he is a defender with many outstanding attributes and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player.” he said.
Gabriel, whose full name is Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes, started his career in Brazil with Avai FC, before joining Lille in January 2017. During his time in France, Gabriel spent time on loan with Troyes in France and latterly in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.
On returning from his loan spells, the Sao Paulo-born defender became a regular in the Lille side, helping them to a fourth-placed Ligue 1 finish last season and starting all six of their Champions League group-stage matches.