LONDON, United Kingdom, Jul 10 – Arsenal have signed Denmark midfielder Christian Norgaard from Brentford in a £15m deal.
The 31-year-old has joined for an preliminary £10m – with a attainable £5m in performance-related add-ons – on a two-year contract with the choice of a 3rd 12 months.
Norgaard joined Brentford from Fiorentina in 2019 and have become a key participant, captaining his aspect and making 196 appearances.
He is Arsenal’s third signing of the summer season after offers for Spaniards Martin Zubimendi and Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Norgaard stated he obtained “nearly emotional” as a result of signing for Arsenal means he’ll dwell his “dream” of taking part in Champions League soccer.
“I’ve simply turned 31 and had signed a brand new cope with Brentford,” he stated.
“There’s all the time slightly likelihood {that a} miracle may occur with Brentford, but it surely was most likely unrealistic to play Champions League with them.
“Now I get to listen to the anthem and be part of a Champions League marketing campaign. It’s a childhood dream and one thing I didn’t assume can be attainable. So it’s one thing I’m actually, actually pleased about.”
Norgaard helped Brentford win promotion from the Championship in 2021, earlier than making 122 Premier League appearances.
Midfielder Zubimendi joined Arsenal from Real Sociedad final week in a deal price nearly £60m, and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga moved from Chelsea for £5m.
Arsenal are additionally in talks to signal Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres for £70m and have made a proper strategy for Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.
What will Norgaard convey to Arsenal?
Arteta stated, exterior he’s “delighted” to signal Norgaard due to his “confirmed management expertise and robust character”.
“He is a robust midfielder with glorious tactical consciousness and flexibility. He additionally has bodily presence and intelligence, which is able to give us added depth and stability,” stated Arteta.
Norgaard was linked with a reunion with former supervisor Thomas Frank at Tottenham this summer season.
Since his Premier League debut in 2021, Norgaard has made 201 interceptions – probably the most of any Premier League participant throughout this era – and he ranks second for recoveries (844) and third for tackles received (189).
Six objectives in all competitions in 2024-25 was one of the best return of his profession in a single season.
‘He is usually a welcome addition’
Edu Rubio, former West Ham, Crystal Palace and Wolves coach
Norgaard is a contemporary defensive-anchor participant. He can break up play, intercept, deal with, block and win aerial duels. He can let Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice do their factor whereas he protects their backs.
He also can recycle the ball and play forwards successfully. In a league the place there are such a lot of transitions, a participant who senses hazard and has a terrific capability to regain the ball is usually a must-have in your group.
His physicality, and the very fact it has been examined within the Premier League, additionally makes him a really smart signing. He is usually a welcome addition to Arsenal.
Norgaard will match completely with Zubimendi. They may even play collectively if Arteta opts for 2 holding gamers and one 10, as a substitute of 1 anchor and two quantity eights.
Zubimendi is extra of a passer and creator. Norgaard is extra a break-up-play midfielder who can regain possession, safe possession and cease the opposition from simply breaking into the ultimate third.
Arteta is ensuring he may have sufficient power within the midfield space to compete in all 4 competitions.
