Squillaci brought in to bolster Arsenal
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger has made France defender Sébastien Squillaci his third acquisition of the summer, signing the Sevilla FC centre-back on a three-year deal.
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Arsène Wenger has further bolstered his defence ahead of the UEFA Champions League group stage with the signing of Sébastien Squillaci from Sevilla FC.
The former Olympique Lyonnais and AS Monaco FC centre-back has penned a long-term deal with the Gunners in a move reported to be worth €8m to Sevilla. The Spanish Liga side confirmed a fee had been agreed over the weekend and Squillaci successfully passed a medical in north London on Monday.
The 30-year-old, who was limited to 16 Liga games last term because of an ankle injury, becomes Wenger's second defensive recruit of the summer following Laurent Koscielny's arrival from FC Lorient. William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Mikaël Silvestre and Philippe Senderos have all left the club in recent months. Squillaci has 21 France caps to his name, the most recent of which came in the 2-1 defeat by the hosts during the FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Squillaci's former club Sevilla will compete in the UEFA Europa League group stage following their play-off defeat against SC Braga, who were paired with Arsenal in Thursday's draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage. FK Partizan and FC Shakhtar Donetsk are also in Group H.
