Arsenal’s newest recruit Christian Norgaard has revealed that he was satisfied to affix the Gunners due to a easy textual content from captain Martin Odegaard.
The previous Brentford captain accomplished a £12million transfer to the Emirates on Thursday to turn out to be Mikel Arteta’s third summer time signing.
Arsenal will reportedly pay an preliminary £10m payment for the Denmark worldwide with an additional £2m in further funds.
Norgaard had signed a brand new two-year deal at Brentford in March amid intense curiosity from Benfica.
However he has admitted that he was persuaded to go away the Bees, who he joined six years in the past from Fiorentina, due to Odegaard and former Brentford team-mate David Raya, who made the identical transfer in 2023.
‘They each spoke so extremely of [the club],’ Norgaard instructed club media. ‘They preserve describing this as a welcome to the household feeling.
Former Brentford captain Norgaard accomplished a £12million transfer to the Emirates on Thursday
The Dane grew to become Mikel Arteta’s third summer time signing and leaves Brentford after six years
Norgaard revealed that Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard satisfied him to affix the Gunners
‘I feel it is very nice when a participant like Martin speaks extremely of not solely the gamers, not solely the coaches, but in addition the entire workers across the membership and the blokes within the media division.
‘There are simply so many individuals working on this organisation and he spoke very extremely of all of them, so I am wanting ahead to assembly each one.’
The 31-year-old joined Brentford in 2019 and helped information them to their first ever Premier League promotion.
He was appointed as captain by former Bees and now Tottenham boss Thomas Frank in 2023.
Final season, Norgaard performed 34 occasions within the Premier League and in addition chipped in with 5 targets, his highest tally for the membership.
The Dane has additionally performed on the semi-finals of Euro 2020 and on the 2022 World Cup.
However he admitted that the attraction of Champions League soccer on the Emirates was essential in his change
‘You may get virtually emotional as a result of possibly it was a dream that I’ve given a bit bit up on coming in direction of the later stage in my profession,’ he mentioned.
Norgaard will reunite with former team-mate David Raya at Arsenal, who switched in 2023
Mikel Arteta mentioned the midfielder has ‘a powerful character which will likely be invaluable to our squad’
Norgaard spent six years at Brentford and performed an important function in reaching the Premier League
‘I’ve simply turned 31 and had signed a brand new cope with Brentford. In fact, there’s at all times a bit likelihood {that a} miracle may occur with Brentford, however it 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 is a childhood dream and one thing I did not assume can be doable. So it is one thing I am actually, actually comfortable about.’
Talking after the deal was introduced, Arteta hailed his new recruit as he mentioned: ‘We’re delighted to welcome Christian to Arsenal.
‘He’s a global participant with a wealth of expertise of the Premier League. He has confirmed management abilities and a powerful character which will likely be invaluable to our squad.
‘He’s a powerful midfielder with wonderful tactical consciousness and flexibility. He additionally has bodily presence and intelligence which is able to give us added depth and steadiness.
‘Christian will convey quite a bit to the group each on and off the pitch, and we’re excited to start out working with him on this subsequent chapter of his profession.’
Sporting director Andrea Berta added: ‘We’re very happy to welcome Christian Norgaard to the membership. He has been a constant excessive performer within the Premier League and brings many qualities to our membership.
‘He’s a frontrunner, and a participant with excessive tactical intelligence and flexibility who can have a really optimistic influence to the squad. We welcome Christian to Arsenal.’
