Arsenal confirm £27m signing of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille

Arsenal has finally confirmed the signing of Brazilain defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille.

The Premier League club made the announcement this afternoon with the help of his Brazilian compatriots, David Luiz and Willian.

In a clip posted to the club’s official Twitter page, Luiz starts by congratulating Willian on his move to the Emirates, with the winger replying: ‘I’m so happy we will soon be together. Let’s go full throttle and win trophies.

Luiz then says ‘It’s so good that our little Brazilian family keeps growing’, and adds that he has ‘heard the family will get even bigger’. The pair then mention Magalhaes before inviting him into the call to ask if he has joined.

The 22-year-old defender then appears in an Arsenal shirt, saying ‘what’s up boys?’ as he is welcomed by his compatriots. ‘I’m so happy to be here with you guys. Let’s make it count,’ he adds. ‘I cannot wait, let’s win trophies. We’ve already started well!’

📞 This is Arsenal calling!
📺 Join us for a very special video call…
🇧🇷 @DavidLuiz_4
🇧🇷 @WillianBorges88
🇧🇷 ❓ pic.twitter.com/O3WcU7SeN7
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 1, 2020

Speaking about his new signing, Manager Mikel Arteta said Magalhaes had ‘outstanding qualities’ to make the team stronger defensively.

‘We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal,’ he said. ‘He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team. He has proved with Lille that he is a defender with many outstanding attributes and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player.’

Technical director Edu added: ‘We are delighted to have signed Gabriel. He is a player we have been studying for a while and he was in demand from many clubs, so we are proud to have agreed and completed this transfer with Lille and the player.

‘Gabriel is a player of high quality and Mikel and his coaches are looking forward to integrating him into the club.’