Arsenal sign Uruguay star Lucas Torreira

www.independent.co.uk Sports News Jul - 10 - 2018 , 15:03

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the 22-year-old midfielder Lucas Torreira from Sampdoria on a long-term contract.

The Uruguayan international, who impressed at this summer’s World Cup in Russia and featured in all of his country’s matches, joins from the Serie A for a fee believed to be in the region of £25m.

He joins right-back Stefan Lichtsteiner, goalkeeper Bernd Leno and central defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos as arrivals at the Emirates this summer as new manager Unai Emery reshapes his first-team squad.

Torreira figures to replace Jack Wilshere who chose not to re-sign with his boyhood club after his contract expired, and instead joined West Ham on Monday.

"I feel calm," Torreira said . "I am used to coping with this kind of thing in the best possible way. It's a very positive thing that people want to welcome me. It makes me feel comfortable.

"Now I am calm and I look forward to the future, which for sure will be very nice.

"I feel very happy. I want to make the most of this opportunity life has given me. I am really looking forward to starting this new adventure."

He has been handed the number 11 shirt for the 2018/19 campaign and will join up with the squad in early August.

“In Lucas Torreira, we have signed a young player who is a very bright talent in the game,” boss Emery added. “A midfielder with great quality, I have enjoyed watching his performances for Sampdoria in the past two seasons, and we all saw him do very well for Uruguay in the World Cup.