Arsenal have signed former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech in a deal worth about £10m.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s official website: “Petr Cech is a player that I have admired for a long time and I am very pleased that he has decided to join us. He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world and he will add great strength to our squad.”
The Czech Republic goalkeeper, who played more than 400 club games in 11 seasons at Stamford Bridge, has joined the Gunners on a four-year contract. worth £100,000-per-week, in a deal that seriously strengthens Arsenal ahead of next season. Cech won every domestic and European trophy at Stamford Bridge after joining from Rennes in 2004
Cech, 33, made only seven league appearances last season after losing his place to Belgian Thibaut Courtois.
The goalkeeper has revealed in a heartfelt letter that he never envisaged leaving Chelsea after his £10 million move to Arsenal was confirmed on Monday.
‘I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea,’ wrote Cech. ‘The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club in which I thought I’d hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career.
‘But life doesn’t always turn out the way you think it will. Since 2004 it has been an incredible journey with so many highs and not many lows.
‘As a team we made history together. Last summer, things changed and I understood I was no longer the first-choice keeper but I felt it was not the right time for me to go.
‘During the season it became clear that my situation would not improve and as I know I am not at the stage of my career where I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges.’
