Premier League leaders Arsenal have made a deadline day swoop for Chelsea midfielder Jorginho on a one-and-a-half-year deal for 12 million pounds.
The Gunners had been pursuing Brighton & Hove Albion’s Moises Caicedo but turned their attention to the Italian whose contract with the Blues was expiring at season’s end.
The deal for the 31-year-old, who was also linked with a handful of Serie A clubs, includes the option of a further year.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “Jorginho is a midfield player with intelligence, deep leadership skills and a huge amount of Premier League and international experience.
“Jorginho has won in his career, but he still has the hunger and huge willingness to contribute here.
“We are so pleased to sign Jorginho and welcome him and his family to the club.”
Jorginho joins the Gunners, with the club sitting top of the Premier League table by five points from Manchester City.
Arsenal sporting director Edu added: “Jorginho is an established professional with a strong mentality who brings quality and experience into our squad.
“He is a player who fits our style of play, and he joins us at a very good moment where he can contribute in a key position to help maintain our momentum. We welcome Jorginho to Arsenal.”
Jorginho will wear the number 20 shirt for the Gunners. Arsenal also loaned out Cedric Soares and Albert Sambi Lokonga to Fulham and Crystal Palace on deadline day respectively.
Chelsea revived their move for Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez but it was pending a clocks past midnight, while they tried to loan Hakim Ziyech to PSG with no confirmation yet.
