London, England – Arsenal confirmed on Wednesday that Germany international defender Per Mertesacker has completed his move to North London from Werder Bremen.
The 26-year-old has joined the Gunners for a fee believed to be in the region of $16 million.
Mertesacker has spent eight seasons in the Bundesliga with Hannover and Werder Bremen, appearing in 221 league matches with 19 goals.
The 6-foot-6 defender has also been capped 75 times by Germany, who he helped reach the semifinals of the 2006 and 2010 World Cups in addition to the Euro 2008 final.
"We are delighted to welcome Per Mertesacker to the club," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. "He is a German international with vast experience and strength and is good on the floor and in the air. I believe he will be well- suited to the Premier League and a tremendous asset to the team."
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