Arsenal have unveiled former Chelsea stopper Petr Cech on their official club website, confirming that the goalkeeper has signed on a ‘long-term contract for an undisclosed fee’.
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In bringing the Czech Republic international goalkeeper to the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal have completed their first signing of the summer.
The 33-year-old joins for a fee reported to be £10.9 million according to a report from Sky Sports last week, and looks set to become the new number one at the Emirates Stadium.
Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina shared those duties last season, while Cech fell behind in the pecking order at Chelsea due to the return of impressive Belgian youngster Thibaut Courtois from a three-year loan at Atletico Madrid, where he had established himself as one of the finest goalkeeping talents in the world.
Despite over a decade of great service at Chelsea, Cech was unable to keep his place in the starting line-up and it is little surprise to see him move on to another top club with the guarantee of first-team football.
It’s official… @PetrCech has agreed to join @Arsenal! Full story here: http://t.co/09V3x81fiQ #WelcomeCech pic.twitter.com/Ov0UmAk2U5
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 29, 2015
The former Stade Rennais man is certainly an upgrade on both Szczesny and Ospina, though the latter caught the eye in his first season with the Gunners last term, becoming first-choice for Premier League games while the Polish international continued to start in cup competitions, playing against Aston Villa in the FA Cup final at Wembley at the end of May.
Following on from high-profile buys like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in the last two summers, this move for Cech should be met with plenty of excitement by Arsenal fans, who will feel they have now suitably strengthened a position that needed improving after last season’s uncertainties.
Having won four Premier League titles, the Champions League and many more honours during his time with the Blues, Cech’s experience could be vital for his new club as they chase a long-awaited title win themselves next season.