Wenger signs silky Persie

ROBIN VAN PERSIE yesterday became the latest addition to Arsene Wenger’s galaxy of stars and promptly pledged to give his all as Arsenal bid for glory at home and abroad next season.

The talented 20-year-old moved for an undisclosed fee on a "long-term contract" although the player, who can operate as a striker or winger, is not expected to have cost more than £3million and Feyenoord say he signed a four-year deal.

And Dutch U-21 international van Persie, who will now undergo a medical at Highbury and link up with his new team-mates in the summer, immediately set his sights on helping the Londoners achieve their two-pronged target for next term.

Van Persie said: "I'm delighted to be joining a great club like Arsenal. This is a dream come true for me. The squad is full of players at the top of their game, which they proved by winning the Premier League on Sunday.

"I'm looking forward to meeting my new team-mates in the summer and helping the club to challenge for more honours."

It was second time lucky for Wenger as his initial bid for van Persie was rejected in the January transfer window.

Arsenal's French coach instead shelled out an initial £10.5million for Jose Reyes, which will eventually rise to £17million.

And the Gunners were coincidentally battling Reyes' former club Sevilla as well as German Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen and Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven - for van Persie's signature.

Wenger confirmed his long-standing admiration of the player: "We've been interested in him since December. We have completed it now because we feel there is something really interesting there. He has great potential."

Van Persie is viewed as the long-term replacement for fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, who turns 36 in July.

The veteran forward, who was won three titles under Wenger, is out of contract at the end of the season but expected to win a 12-month extension for what could be his farewell year.

Bergkamp has contributed massively to the reputation Wenger's team has for sweet passing football but the manager now expects van Persie to add aerial strength to Arsenal's armoury.

"He can play on the left side of midfield, as a creative player behind the main strikers or as a target man," he added.

"His main assets are his vision and his technical quality. He's tall too, uses his body well and is quite good in the air so that's something new for us."

Van Persie has played for Holland since representing his country at Under-16 level. He joined Feyenoord in 2001 as a striker but soon impressed out wide and has been a regular in the first team for the past two seasons, helping the Rotterdam club win the UEFA Cup in 2002.

After that triumph, the Dutch PFA named him Holland's 'best young talent' - and his six goals in 27 league games this season have helped his club to third place in the league and within touching distance of European qualification again.

His compatriot, Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot, described Van Persie as "a very, very talented young footballer, one of the best players coming through in Dutch football."

Melchiot believes the Feyenoord youngster is more of a winger than a striker at the moment, but he could play in any of the forward positions quite comfortably.

"Some people say he is the next Bergkamp but I think it's unfair on the boy to have that tag. Even he would say himself that he musn't be compared with Dennis Bergkamp. But he is still someone with a lot of potential.

"Robin is quick, has a nice left foot and most importantly he is an excellent crosser of the ball. He has an exciting future."