'Couldn’t let it pass me by' - Cristhian Mosquera reveals what he will bring to Arsenal after €20m transfer from Valencia is finally confirmed

After a lengthy pursuit of the defender, Mosquera was finally unveiled as an Arsenal player on Thursday in a deal worth up to €20m (£17m/$23m). Now the young Spaniard has admitted he couldn't let this opportunity "pass him by", while outlining what he can bring to Mikel Arteta's side for the upcoming season.

In his first interview with the club, he said: “It means a lot to me. There’s been a lot of hard work behind all of this. It’s an opportunity that came up and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’m joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place. It’s true my career has moved faster than expected and I’ve had to mature fast. Coming here is a chance to keep learning and improving. I’ll be working with great players and a top-class coaching staff, so that will help me develop personally. I’m a player with a lot of energy. I’m young, so I still have plenty to give. I’m fully motivated and excited. Above all, I want to improve, which will create competition within the squad. I’m really happy."

Arsenal are showing they mean business ahead of the new season following the acquisitions of winger Noni Madueke and midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and striker Viktor Gyokeres could come through the door soon, too. Mosquera is more of a player for the future but following the mutual termination of versatile defender Takehiro Tomiyasu's contract, the 6ft 3in defender is a good replacement for the Japanese.

Mosquera, who can play at centre-back and right-back, will hope to impress in some of Arsenal's upcoming pre-season games against Newcastle United, Tottenham, Villarreal and Athletic Club before the 2025-26 campaign begins.