Calum Chambers joins Arsenal: Gunners complete £16m transfer of right-back
Chambers follows Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in moving to Arsenal and becomes the fifth Saints player to be sold this summer
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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal have announced the signing of Southampton defender Calum Chambers for an undisclosed fee, thought to be around £16m.
The Gunners took their summer spending beyond the £50m mark as they followed the moves for Alexis Sanchez and Mathieu Debuchy with the addition of the England youngster, who has only made 18 Premier League starts to date. Confirming move, the club said that they have secured Chambers on a "long-term contract" - thought to be at least four years - for an "undisclosed fee".
Speaking to Arsenal's official website, Chambers said: "I am so happy to be signing for Arsenal. They are a team I have much admired for their playing style, and a team who have been one of the top sides in Europe for many years. I'm looking forward to joining up with my new team-mates today and beginning preparation for the season ahead.
"I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone at Southampton FC for everything they have done for me and for making this move possible."
The 19-year-old emerged this season along with fellow teenager Luke Shaw in a sturdy Southampton defence, although the south coast side have seen their ranks depleted this summer after Shaw joined Manchester United, Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren moved to Liverpool and Chambers has now switched to the North London side – generating over £100m in the process.
Arsene Wenger knew he had to reinforce the right-back position after Bacary Sagna joined Manchester City on a free transfer, but the long-serving manager has decided to bring in two new faces in the form of Debuchy and Chambers.
While Debuchy is likely to be first choice, Chambers’ versatility has impressed Wenger, who has already stated his openness to field the teenager at centre-back and defensive midfield as well as his natural position.
Chambers is the latest product of the hugely successful Southampton academy, which has produced the likes of Gareth Bale, Lallana and Matt Le Tissier, and he’ll join Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in moving from the Saints to Arsenal before turning 20.
Wenger added: "We are very pleased that Calum has agreed to join us. The way he adapted to the Premier League last season with Southampton at a young age shows that he has tremendous quality. He has a lot of the attributes that we look for in a young player and I am sure that he will do well with us.”
The completion of the move suggests that Carl Jenkinson will be allowed to move to pastures new, with Hull and West Ham believed to be interested in a move in which Arsenal will seek around £5m.
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