Arsenal FC has confirmed the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City in a £32m deal, with the versatile Ukraine international joining the club on its preseason tour of the United States.
Zinchenko becomes the Gunners’ fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Marquinhos, Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira and former City teammate Gabriel Jesus. The deal also marks a reunion for Zinchenko and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who served as assistant to Man City boss Pep Guardiola.
“Alex is a high quality player who will give us options and versatility. It’s not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defense,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website.
The 25-year-old Zinchenko – who played in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final – has been given squad number 35 and can cover a variety of positions, including left-back and central midfield.
Zinchenko spent six years at Man City after joining the club as a teenager from Russian side Ufa. The 25-year-old scored two goals in 128 appearances for City, which won four league titles, four Carabao Cups, and an FA Cup during his time there.
Considering the move “a boyhood dream come true,” Zinchenko told arsenal.com that he “was a massive fan as a kid,” according to arsenal.com.
“Since Thierry Henry and young Cesc Fabregas was playing here, I was just enjoying watching those games, that Arsenal,” said. “And obviously I started to love this club, so I am so excited and I cannot wait to play for this amazing club.”