Arsenal sign Spain midfielder Zubimendi from Real Sociedad
Financial details were not disclosed but British media reports said the 26-year-old had a 60 million euros ($70.67 million) release clause at Sociedad where he had a contract until 2027.
Zubimendi is Arsenal's second recruit in the close-season after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen a squad that can get over the line in the title race after finishing runners-up in the last three Premier League seasons.
"This is a huge moment in my career. It's the move I was looking for and one I wanted to make. As soon as you set foot here, you realise how big this club and this team are," Zubimendi said in a statement.
"I set my sights on Arsenal because their style of play is a good fit for me. They have shown their potential recently and the best is yet to come."
Zubimendi's arrival is a welcome reinforcement for Arsenal in midfield after Jorginho and Thomas Partey left at the end of their contracts last month.
Renowned for his mobility, his deep-lying playmaking skills as well as his defensive nous, Zubimendi will give Arsenal's midfield a measure of steel while also controlling the tempo in the role of a number six.
His arrival would potentially allow Declan Rice, Arsenal's player of the season, to play in an advanced role alongside skipper Martin Odegaard.
With Spain, Zubimendi won the European Championship in 2024, coming on for the injured Rodri in the final to help secure the trophy, while he also scored in the Nations League final earlier this month when they lost to Portugal on penalties.
Getting Zubimendi on board early would also give Arteta time to work with him in pre-season ahead of a tough opening spell in the Premier League next season.
Arsenal play Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United in their first six games of the campaign.
($1 = 0.8490 euros)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Premier League icon looks unrecognisable as he posts throwback photo from his teenage years in a comparison with Boris Becker
Premier League fans couldn't believe their eyes as a legend of the top flight shared a photo of his teenage self. The German was congratulating compatriot Boris Becker on the 40th anniversary of becoming the youngest player ever to win Wimbledon. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp took to Instagram on Monday morning to post a photo of 17-year-old Becker with his trophy on Centre Court in 1985. The 58-year-old shared it alongside one of himself enjoying a drink at the same age. '@borisbeckerofficial vs me at 17… aged like a fine wine,' he wrote under the images. 'Time flies! 'Congratulations my friend on your 40th anniversary of becoming the youngest player to ever win @ wimbledon until today. What a legend!' Klopp shocked the footballing world when he announced in January of last year that he would be stepping down from his role as Reds manager a the end of the 2023-24 campaign. He admitted that he was 'running out of energy' and wanted to spend more time with his family. The exhaustion, stress and relentlessness of life as Liverpool boss, in addition to becoming a grandfather for the first time, led him to make the decision to leave Anfield after nine successful years. He was rumoured as being among the favourites to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid but Mail Sport understands that was never likely. Some thought he might take a dip into international management - most likely the Germany or England job - and it remains to be seen if he would ever consider that. Klopp started as Red Bull's Global Head of Soccer in January and has a contract which runs until 2029. Last year, he said: 'I work, but not what I did before. I'm not just lying around, although sometimes I am. I don't miss anything. 'Other top coaches won't be doing this forever either. The next generation is already out there. At some point, it will be up to them to start developing and changing football. 'There are already a lot of people from back then who are getting a taste of it. And more are coming because they're that age now. I'm really happy to watch them. 'And if I can help them with advice and support, I'm happy to do so. They probably think that after working with me for a while: If he can do it, we can do it too. It can't be that difficult.'
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
TfL sells sponsorship rights for entire Tube line in multi-million pound branding deal
Transport for London (TfL) is selling the rights to an entire London Underground line in a bid to raise millions. In a post on the social media platform LinkedIn, TfL announced it was offering 'exclusive sponsorship' of the Waterloo and City line, which connects Bank and Waterloo stations. The two-stop, three-minute shuttle service, which is only open on weekdays, is London's least-used tube line, but still ferries around 15 million people each year. TfL said the opportunity to sponsor the line would not involve renaming it but would 'go far beyond a typical media opportunity'. They said the sponsorship would include 'full-line branding, from moquette seat fabric and signage to maps and experiential spaces'. 'Millions of professionals and decision-makers travel this route every year,' the advert read. 'Now, your brand can own the journey.' While this would be the first time an entire Tube line has been offered for sponsorship, several stations have been sponsored. Southgate station was temporarily renamed ' Gareth Southgate ' Tube station by Visa in honour of the then-England manager after the national team made the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. The two-day takeover of the final stop on the Piccadilly line generated £80,000 for TfL. The sponsorship included branded roundels, themed Tannoy announcements, digital screen messages and flash mobs. A few years later, during London Fashion Week in October 2023, Bond Street was briefly renamed 'Burberry Street'. The name change led to 57 complaints to TfL as passengers complained about becoming confused by the mock Tube signs. Complaints were also made last year when Samsung renamed Old Street to 'Fold Street' to promote their new 'Fold and Flip' smartphone, generating £250,000 for TfL. The only time that a public transport line in London has been completely sponsored is the £2.1 million five-year IFS Cloud sponsorship of the cable car, which crosses the Thames between the Royal Docks and North Greenwich. The Waterloo and City line, however, boasts 10 times the number of annual users.
Leader Live
24 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Jodie Whittaker and Jason Watkins to join BBC's Dear England cast
Whittaker, known for her portrayal of the Doctor in BBC's Doctor Who and her role in Netflix's Toxic Town, is set to join the series as Pippa Grange, the England men's team's psychologist. Jason Watkins, who won a Bafta for his lead role in The Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies and is known for his role in The Crown, has also been announced to play former FA chairman Greg Dyke. They will be joined by The Bay star Daniel Ryan who is set to play Steve Holland, former assistant manager for the England men's team. The series, which will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One in 2026, is an adaptation of James Graham's Oliver-winning play Dear England, a fictionalised account of Sir Gareth Southgate's time as the England football manager. The Handmaid's Tale star Fiennes, who was widely acclaimed for his turn as Southgate in the stage production, will reprise his role for the BBC series. The plot follows the story of the struggles and successes of England's football teams, based on extensive research and four-part series will be written by Graham, directed by the play's director Rupert Goold and produced by Left Bank Pictures, the company behind Netflix juggernaut The Crown. Dear England had a sell-out run at the National Theatre before it transferred to the West End in 2023, securing best new play at the Olivier Awards last year. Writer and executive producer James Graham said: 'Bringing the national game to the National Theatre over two years ago was one of the most rewarding moments of my writing life. 'Getting to tell this inspiring story of Gareth's quiet revolution, and its themes of redemption, resilience, kindness and compassion in sport. 'To kick off its journey on screen now, and on our national broadcaster, is a huge opportunity and I'm so grateful to (the) world-class cast and creative team we've assembled.' The play will soon take to the road for a 16-venue tour across England, kicking off in Plymouth on September 15, with stops in major cities including Newcastle, Liverpool and Birmingham, until the tour comes to a close on March 14 2026.
