Arsenal strengthen with Cygan

Lille OSC defender Pascal Cygan has joined Arsenal FC on a four-year contract, arriving for an undisclosed fee estimated to be around €3m.

Unveiled today
The 28-year old, who played for Lille in last season's UEFA Champions League, was unveiled as an Arsenal player today after several days' negotiations with the north London club. His arrival and the decision of veteran defender Martin Keown to sign a two-year contract extension will help compensate for the retirement of full-back Lee Dixon and the impending announcement that club captain Tony Adams will also hang up his boots.

'A fantastic defender'
Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said of Cygan: "Pascal is a fantastic defender with great ability and has proved that he can compete at the highest level from his performances in the Champions League. He is an extremely constant player and will fit in very well at Arsenal. I am very positive he will be a fantastic asset to the team." Cygan, who is 28, will wear the No18 shirt at Arsenal and swells the club's French contingent, which also includes Patrick Vieira, Robert Pires, Thierry Henry and Sylvain Wiltord.

'I came from nowhere'
He said: "I am 28 now and have been a professional for seven years. However, having played for only one club so far, I don't know if I have yet reached as far as I can go. I've had all sorts of experiences, from relegation to the second division to the UEFA Champions League. I came from nowhere and now I will play for Arsenal. It's unbelievable. I am so proud. This proves that everybody can succeed by working hard."

A key figure
Cygan made his debut for Lille in 1995 but it was under coach Vahid Halhilodzic that he really made his mark. With his pace and strength, he was a key figure in the club's success in qualifying for last season's Champions League, just 12 months after winning the second division title. "I would like to thank Vahid Halilodzic who helped me to progress, and all my team-mates with whom I made some great experiences," said Cygan, who had one year remaining on his Lille contract.

Keown to stay
Cygan will face competition for a starting place from Keown, who turns 36 later this month. Wenger said of the defender's decision to extend his Arsenal career: "I'm delighted because Martin is not only a great player but a great motivator in our squad." Now retired from international football after after playing a reserve role in England's recent FIFA World Cup campaign, Keown's Arsenal career began as a trainee in February 1984. He was sold to Aston Villa FC in 1986, joined Everton FC in 1989, but returned to Arsenal in February 1993.