Arsenal sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for club-record fee

Arsenal have completed the deadline-day signing of German playmaker Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid for a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £42.5m.

The 24-year-old has signed a five-year contract said to be in the region of £130,000 a week at the Emirates.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has smashed the club's transfer record to recruit the German schemer, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Madrid following the arrival of Gareth Bale earlier today.

Ozil declared that the faith shown in him by Wenger made his mind up over a move to the Emirates, a challenge he is relishing.

He told the club's official website: "I am thrilled to be joining a club of the stature of Arsenal and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League.

"It will be great for my own personal development as a player and I am particularly looking forward to working with Arsene Wenger.

"From our negotiations it is clear the club has huge ambition and I look forward to being part of an exciting future."

Luka Modric and Isco have been preferred by Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti during his first few weeks in Madrid, leading to Ozil deciding his future lies at the Emirates.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain were linked with moves to hijack Arsenal's bid but they didn't sway Ozil, who will wear the number 11 shirt at the Emirates.

Ozil is the fourth arrival at the Emirates this summer, following free transfers Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flaimini and loan signing Emiliano Viviano.