Arsenal add firepower with Gervinho signing

Arsenal FC have reached an agreement for the signing of Ivory Coast striker Gervinho from LOSC Lille Métropole for a fee believed to be in the region of €12m.

The 24-year-old, who had a medical in north London last week, has agreed a deal with the Gunners to become the club's second summer signing following the arrival of Finland Under-21 defender Carl Jenkinson from Charlton Athletic FC.

Gervinho has been a key performer for Lille since joining from Le Mans FC in 2009, scoring 28 goals in 67 Ligue 1 games and, last season, helping Les Dogues win their first French title since 1953/54, as well as the French Cup.

The former KSK Beveren forward played predominantly wide of a central striker at Lille, threatening opposing defences when drifting in from the right. He has also been capped 27 times by the Ivory Coast, including three 2010 FIFA World Cup appearances, and has notched six international goals.

Gervinho enjoyed two UEFA Europa League tilts with Lille, scoring five times in their 2009/10 continental campaign. He will hope for his first taste of UEFA Champions League football with Arsenal, which is contingent upon Arsène Wenger's side qualifying for the group stage via the play-offs.