Gunners sign van Persie

Arsenal today signed rising Dutch star Robin van Persie from Feyenoord.

The newly-crowned Premiership champions confirmed the highly-rated 20-year-old, who can play up front or on the wing and is seen as a long-term replacement for fellow Dutchman Dennis Bergkamp, will join them “on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee”.

Van Persie, who will now undergo a medical at Highbury, had been linked to a number of clubs around Europe, including PSV Eindhoven, Bundesliga leaders Werder Bremen and Spanish side Sevilla.

Gunners manager Arsène Wenger said: “Robin is a great young talent and a fantastic signing for the club.

“He has shown great potential at both club and under-21 international level and will help strengthen our squad considerably.

“He has a great left foot and is a great passer of the ball with excellent vision. He is a versatile player and is comfortable playing as a striker or on the wing.

“We are all looking forward to Robin joining us for pre-season in July.”

The Gunners made a bid for van Persie in the January transfer window, but Feyenoord turned them down and Arsene Wenger brought in Sevilla's Jose Reyes instead.

The youngster, who has signed a four-year deal at Highbury according to reports in Holland, has been a regular in the Feyenoord first team for the past two seasons and helped the Rotterdam club capture the UEFA Cup in 2002, after which he was named ‘best young talent’ for the season by the Dutch PFA.

Van Persie’s six goals in 27 league appearances this season have helped Feyenoord to third place in the Dutch league, with the club again close to qualifying for European competition next season.

The player 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 have proved by winning the English Premier League last Sunday.

“I’m looking forward to meeting all my new team-mates in the summer and helping the club to challenge for more honours.”

Arsenal expect to officially register van Persie as their player on May 17, when the transfer window re-opens.