Arsenal confirm new signing – ‘When the coach shows that belief in you’

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, who has signed a ‘long-term contract’. It has previously been reported that his contract will run for five or six years.

Mosquera was out of contract at Valencia next season, and with Los Che delaying too long to present a fresh deal to the Spain under-21 international, Arsenal decided to make a move for him. Previously AC Milan and Atletico Madrid had shown interest in him, but Arsenal have got the deal over the line for Mosquera, paying Valencia €15m plus up to €4-5m in variables.

More or less confirming the move last week, Mosquera told fans that ‘Valencia is my home and always will be’, and noted that he was sad to be leaving Mestalla, but excited to join Arsenal. In total, Mosquera made 91 appearances for Valencia, after becoming a regular starter under Ruben Baraja three seasons ago. Mosquera also won a gold medal with Spain last summer at the Paris Olympics.