Arsenal sign £7m Guendouzi from Lorient

Arsenal have confirmed they have signed 19-year-old Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient.

The defensive midfielder started his career at Paris Saint-Germain but made his breakthrough at Lorient in the French top flight in 2016.

Although they were relegated that term, Guendouzi impressed in Ligue 2 last season before the Premier League side came swooping in.

The France Under 20 international signs for a fee reportedly around €8m (£7m/$9.4m) plus bonuses.

"Arsenal have always been the team closest to my heart and a side I’ve wanted to join since I was a child," he told the club's website. "It gives me great pride – it’s incredible.

"I hope I can do great things here. It doesn’t get any better than coming to a club like this, with so much history, like Arsenal. I’m hugely proud.

"My hope is to become a top player here at Arsenal. A lot of great players have played here. I want to become part of the club’s history and to achieve great things here. I want to win titles, titles, titles. I want to establish myself here, which would be amazing. Winning silverware, as I said, is very important to me and winning things here at Arsenal would be incredible."

New Gunners coach Unai Emery told the club's website: "We are delighted Matteo is joining us. He is a talented young player and a lot of clubs were interested in him. He has big potential and gained good first-team experience last season with Lorient. He wants to learn and improve and will be an important part of our first-team squad."

Having made 30 appearances in all competitions for Lorient and is confident of making an impact in north London with a playing style that he hopes will suit the club.

"I’m a player who likes to get on the ball and use it," Guendouzi told Arsenal Player. "I like keeping possession and to play too. 

"Playing the ball, linking up with my team-mates, battling for the team. I want to win every game – that’s really important to me.  

"I’d say my main quality is keeping the ball and my passing."