Arsenal have announced the arrival of the vastly experienced Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.
The 53-year-old left his role as Atletico Madrid sporting director earlier this year, and he had been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium as the replacement for Edu.
Berta's arrival in North London has now been confirmed, and he has a huge reputation in the world of football, having been instrumental to Atletico's recent success, while he has worked in technical roles for both Parma and Genoa.
The Italian has said that he is making the move to Arsenal during "a hugely exciting period for the club", with the Gunners establishing themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title in recent seasons.
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Arsenal confirm Berta appointment, as Italian replaces Edu
"I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club," he said in a statement on the club's official website.
"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.
"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."
Meanwhile, the club's co-chairman Josh Kroenke added: "Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.
"Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
"We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea's experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out. "We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family."
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Berta 'tasked' with securing deal for Real Sociedad's Zubimendi
According to The Mirror, Berta has been immediately tasked with securing a deal for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.
The Spain international famously turned down the chance to make the move to Liverpool last summer, but he is expected to leave at the end of this season, with a number of clubs interested in his signature.
Real Madrid appear to be Arsenal's main competition for the Euro 2024 winner, but it is understood that the Gunners are confident of winning the race for a player who has a £51m release clause in his contract.
Arsenal are said to be hopeful that Berta's expertise will help them get a deal over the line for Zubimendi, with the bulk of the framework already being completed, as the North London club view him as a priority signing this summer.
The 26-year-old has again been a vital player for La Real during the current season, making 39 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and registering two assists in the process.
Matt Law
