Emiliano Martinez has left Arsenal after his £20 million transfer to Aston Villa was confirmed on Wednesday.
After an impressive end to last season with Arsenal, Martinez has joined Aston Villa in search of regular game-time.
The goalkeeper impressed as deputy for injured Bernd Leno last term and made a claim to be made the Gunners’ no.1 choice.
However, Mikel Arteta chose to stick with the German goalkeeper and Martinez had no choice but to look elsewhere.
Aston Villa pounced on his availability and initially submitted a £15m offer for the Argentine. Arsenal rejected the first offer and Villa submitted an improved one reported to be in the range of £20m. The Gunners were happy to accept the second offer.
The deal was completed on Wednesday morning as Aston Villa announced via a statement on their website.
Dean Smith said: “We are really pleased with the signing of our new goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.”
“We know how highly Arsenal rated him and we watched his outstanding performances last season in a trophy-winning top side.”
“We moved for Emi when we saw the opportunity, as it is rare to be able to buy a top class goalkeeper who hasn’t yet reached their peak age and who can therefore be a key player for our Club for the long term.”
Martinez left the Gunners as their longest serving player having joined only as a teenager in 2010.
He is now set to start in goal for Dean Smith’s side when they begin their 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Sheffield United next Monday.
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