|
Post by Football News on Jan 29, 2015 3:45:29 GMT
Gabriel Paulista completes transfer to Arsenal from Villarreal• Gabriel joins club with Joel Campbell moving to Spain on loan • 24-year-old is primarily a centre-back, but can play across the defence Gabriel Paulista was an ever present in the Villarreal side that has conceded 17 goals in 19 La Liga matches this season. Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Gabriel Paulista from Villarreal on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee – believed to be over £10m – with Joel Campbell moving to the Spanish club on loan for the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old Gabriel, who joined Villarreal from the Salvador-based Vitória in 2013, told his new club’s website the Brazilian said: “I came from a club that is not that big in Brazilian football. I went to Spanish football and that was another dream come true, to play in Europe. A while ago I had a really huge desire to play in the Premier League, so since that point I put it in my head that I really wanted to do it. I had a talk with my family and I told them that it was my dream to play in the Premier League. Getting here to such a big club is so gratifying. “I am arriving at a big club and the fans can expect to find a Gabriel with a great will to help everyone. Not just thinking of me as an individual, because to me that is not important. I care more about helping the team and my team-mates. I want to help everyone, so the fans can expect a Gabriel that on the field has a lot of will to be able to help the team win important things.” Primarily a centre-back, Gabriel can also play at both right- and left-back, and provides defensive cover in Arsenal’s squad that has been lacking since Thomas Vermaelen’s departure for Barcelona in the summer. There was concern that Gabriel would struggle to gain a work permit as he has not been capped for Brazil but the club have confirmed that one has been arranged and the transfer is complete. Guardian
|
|