Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Bernd Leno
Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Bernd Leno

Arsenal complete deal for goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen


Arsenal have signed goalkeeper Bernd Leno from Bayer Leverkusen, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday evening.

Leno, 26, moves to the Gunners as new head coach Unai Emery continues his rebuilding plans.

"After a fantastic seven years, I will now continue my career in another, very exciting league," Leno said on the Leverkusen website.

A statement on the Leverkusen website said Leno had "signed a long-term contract with the London club", adding Arsenal had "accepted the Leverkusen transfer conditions".

Leverkusen sporting director Jonas Boldt said: "We brought Bernd in 2011 as a very young keeper and immediately gave him great responsibility. He has given us back this confidence in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League.

"Bernd has consistently performed well for our club over the years and has become a national player here. A great goalkeeper - we wish him all the best for the coming years at Arsenal."

Leno looks set to compete with veteran Petr Cech and David Ospina, who is at the World Cup with Colombia, for the Arsenal jersey.

Arsenal soon confirmed the Leno deal, head coach Emery describing him as "a goalkeeper of high quality and experience".

The Spaniard, who replaced long-serving manager Arsene Wenger earlier in the summer, said on the club's official website: "He has been a top performer and regular number one goalkeeper with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga for the past seven years.

"We are all excited that Bernd has chosen Arsenal Football Club and look forward to start working with him in pre-season."

Arsenal added that the German's shirt number "will be announced in due course".


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