Farewell, Edu! Arsenal transfer chief pens emotional message to fans after leaving club - with special shoutout given to new sporting director Andrea Berta

The Brazilian, who served as Arsenal’s sporting director, formally exited the club this week after a successful five-and-a-half-year spell behind the scenes. Having first joined as Technical Director in July 2019, Edu was pivotal in reshaping the club’s identity and strengthening its competitive ambitions. He later became Arsenal's first-ever Sporting Director, a title he held before stepping away from the role last November.

During his playing days, Edu was part of Arsene Wenger’s legendary "Invincibles" squad, winning two Premier League titles (2002 and 2004) and six trophies in total. His connection to the club runs deep, and his transition into a leadership role allowed him to further contribute to Arsenal’s evolution.

In a touching Instagram post, Edu thanked the Arsenal faithful for their unwavering support during his time in north London.

He wrote: "Thank you, Arsenal. Thank you, Gunners ! With a heart full of gratitude, today formally I close one of the most meaningful chapters of my professional life. After five and a half years, my journey officially as Sporting Director of Arsenal FC has come to the end.

"I joined the club in July 2019 as Technical Director, with the challenge of bringing Arsenal with the mission of bringing Arsenal back where it belongs among football’s elite, driving a cultural shift, keep competing for trophies, and making Champions League qualification the minimum expectation for a club of Arsenal’s size. Later, I had the honour of becoming the first-ever Sporting Director in the club’s history, a milestone I will always carry with great pride.

"And throughout this process of rebuilding, you the fans were an essential part of everything! To the supporters, my most sincere thank you ! The support, the energy, and the connection we felt again in every match were simply special. The Emirates became an amplified version of the old Highbury atmosphere! To have experienced this alongside you is something I will never forget."

The former midfielder also took time to thank Arsenal’s ownership, his colleagues, and the players for their collective effort in re-establishing the Gunners as a force both domestically and in Europe.

"To our owners, Stan and Josh Kroenke, the board, Mikel, the players, the coaching staff, Per, Clare, all executive team, the backroom staff, everyone working at the Emirates Stadium, and especially those who welcomed me so warmly in the Director’s Box, thank you for these years of collaboration and kindness! It was never easy, but our intense work, united by a true team spirit, made me feel fulfilled throughout all these years!"

Edu explained his delayed farewell message by revealing he had been on gardening leave since his departure, choosing to remain silent out of respect until his contract officially concluded.

"(If I’m only now sharing this message, it’s because I’ve been on garden leave in recent months and, out of respect for the club and everyone involved, I preferred to wait until the final official day of my contract to publish this.)

"I wish Arsenal FC all the best and every success, and I also send my warmest wishes to the new Sporting Director Andrea Berta, who now takes on this beautiful role.

"I leave with a peaceful heart and immense pride in what we’ve built together!

"Thank you so much!

"Edu Gaspar ❤️⚽️"

In his directorial tenure, Edu oversaw an FA Cup victory in 2020 and two Community Shield triumphs. Under his guidance and Mikel Arteta’s leadership, the Gunners rose from mid-table mediocrity - finishing eighth in back-to-back seasons - to consecutive second-place finishes in the Premier League.

While Arsenal's Premier League title hopes appear to be slipping away again this season - they currently trail leaders Liverpool by 11 points - the club remains firmly in contention in Europe. A dominant 3-0 victory over Real Madrid earlier this week has put them on the brink of a Champions League semi-final, offering a potential silver lining to their campaign.

Edu is now set to embark on a fresh challenge, reportedly poised to take a leading role in Evangelos Marinakis’ football network, which includes Nottingham Forest, Olympiacos and Portuguese side Rio Ave. Details regarding his exact position have yet to be confirmed.