• Premier League

Arsenal complete signing of Debuchy

ESPN staff
July 17, 2014
Mathieu Debuchy is set to be the replacement for Bacary Sagna © Getty Images
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Arsenal have completed the signing of right-back Mathieu Debuchy from Newcastle.

The France international becomes the second signing of the summer for manager Arsene Wenger as he joins for a fee of around £12 million - following Alexis Sanchez's arrival from Barcelona for £32m.

"I'm very proud to be joining a great club like Arsenal and to wear its colours, it's one of the biggest clubs in the whole world," Debuchy told the club's official website.

"I'm looking forward to working with Arsene Wenger and to helping the team build on last season's FA Cup success. Playing again in the Champions League is a big excitement for me and I will do my best to help Arsenal compete for trophies."

Debuchy is expected to be the replacement for Bacary Sagna - who left Arsenal to sign for Manchester City on a free transfer in June - and will wear the No.2 shirt.

Debuchy, 28, featured for France at the World Cup and made 46 appearances for Newcastle since he joined in January 2013. He had previously helped Lille to a league and cup double in 2011 and was named in the Ligue 1 team of the season for the 2011-12 campaign.

On his latest recruit, Wenger said: "We are delighted to welcome Mathieu Debuchy to Arsenal Football Club. He has shown he can perform at the highest level with his club sides and also for France. He is a quality defender who has good Premier League experience and I'm confident he will fit in very well with us."

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