Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Belgian international defender Thomas Vermaelen has joined the Gunners from Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee.

Vermaelen (23), who was the Ajax club captain last season, made his first team debut for the Dutch club at just 18, after playing at Youth level for Belgian side KFC Germinal Beerschot. During his 143 appearances with the Amsterdam side, Thomas, who is predominantly a central defender, gained experience in both the UEFA Cup and UEFA Champions League including two appearances against Arsenal in the 2005/06 Champions League Group Stages. He has made 21 appearances for Belgium, now being a regular in his country’s set-up since making his full international debut in March 2006.

During his time with Ajax, the club won the Dutch League Championship in 2003/04, with Vermaelen also winning the Dutch National Cup on two occasions (in 2006 and 2007) and the Dutch Super Cup twice (in 2006 and 2007).

Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us. Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team.

Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he’s multi-functional and can also play at left back. He is strong technically with a positive winner’s attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal.”

After completing his move to the Gunners, Vermaelen said: “Firstly, I have to say that I’m sad to be leaving Ajax and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and friendship towards me over the past eight years.

“I’m just so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a great Club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium. Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this Club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.

“I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal. I’m also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which for me, is the best league in the world. Also, I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this Club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season.”

Thomas will join up with his new team-mates for pre-season training in early July.

[Friday, June 19, 2009]

Arsenal have confirmed that they have signed Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax this evening, with the Dutch club reporting the deal is worth €12 million.

The 23-year-old defender joins from Ajax on a long-term contract and has plenty of experience having played 143 matches for the Amsterdam team.

Speaking about the signing, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger told the official club website that he believes Vermalen will strengthen the side.

"Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us. Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and UEFA Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team," he explained.

"Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he’s multi-functional and can also play at left back. He is strong technically with a positive winner’s attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal."

Certainly Vermaelen is experienced both at club and international level despite his young age, and he has made 21 appearances for Belgium already.

After completing the move this afternoon he revealed that he is looking forward to playing in Europe with his new club.

"Firstly, I have to say that I'm sad to be leaving Ajax and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and friendship towards me over the past eight years," he said.

"I'm just so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium. Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.

"I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal. I’m also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which for me, is the best league in the world. Also, I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season."

Cesc Fabregas is not going to be returning to Spanish football this summer because he wants to stay at Arsenal, his compatriot and fellow Gunners midfielder Fran Merida has stated.

The 19-year-old is convinced that his fellow Catalan is preparing to remain at the Emirates despite increased interest from Barcelona in the past few weeks.

Both Fabregas and Merida rose through the youth ranks at Barcelona before opting to move to north London to join Arsenal where they are learning their trade under Arsene Wenger.

It is Fabregas that Barça are so keen to have back however, with little mention of any urgency for Merida's return due to reports that he has not progressed as well as was hoped.

Merida thinks that his team-mate will stay though, even as Real Madrid have again been linked with a move for the player that has claimed he is a Barça fan through and through.

“There have been many rumours about Cesc going to Barca and Madrid, but he is delighted with the project here,” he told El Mundo Deportivo.

“He hasn’t finished at Arsenal yet.”

When Adriano rescinded his contract with Inter mid-way through last season, one of the first names in the frame to replace him was Arsenal striker Robin van Persie.

According to the Corriere dello Sport, the player is still on Massimo Moratti's wishlist, but only as a fallback plan as his first choice would seem to be Twente starlet Marko Arnautovic.

The 20-year-old has drawn plenty of comparisons to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his young career thus far.

Meanwhile, the Gunners currently value their Dutch star at £20 million, but with just one year left on his deal at the Emirates, it's possible he could leave for a lesser price as his contract negotiations have reportedly stalled.

Van Persie scored 11 goals in 24 appearances this season in the Premier League and is also of interest to English champions Manchester United.