Mikel Merino’s £33 million move from Real Sociedad to Arsenal is now final.

The 28-year-old midfielder will represent the Emirates in north London while he signs a four-year contract there, donning the No. 23 shirt.

Merino played every game of the competition as Luis de la Fuente’s Spain team defeated England in the final last month. Merino was a member of the winning squad in Euro 2024.

Mikel Arteta praised the versatility and technical skill of his new signing in a statement following the deal’s confirmation.

“Mikel is a player who, with his experience and versatility, will bring us huge quality,” Arteta stated.

He has spent several seasons performing at the highest level for both clubs and the national team. With his technical proficiency, strong moral fibre, and upbeat disposition, Mikel will greatly strengthen our team.

As everyone witnessed over the summer, Mikel is a winner as well, having helped Spain win the competition with his outstanding efforts throughout the Euros. We are excited to work with Mikel and his family and are happy to have them join the club.

Edu, the sporting director of Arsenal, continued, “We are very happy to have completed Mikel Merino’s transfer.”

“Many members of the club have worked extremely hard to finalise the transfer of a player who drew interest from several teams during the summer,” the statement reads.

We saw Mikel as a player who can ideally fit into our squad and profile to help us as we strive to build on our great performances from last season, and he was one of our main targets this summer. 

We are excited for the upcoming season with Mikel’s arrival as he adds a high calibre of experience, physicality, and athleticism.

‘We welcome Mikel and his family to the club, and look forward to seeing him play in the Arsenal shirt.’

In a video shared on the Gunners’ social media channels, Merino could be seen introducing himself to his new team-mates.

“I appreciate everyone’s kind welcome,” he stated. It brings me great joy to be among all of you.

I’m looking forward to this season and hoping that we can continue to achieve the great things that you guys have. I’m just grateful.

Prior to moving to Newcastle in 2017, Merino spent a brief time at Borussia Dortmund after starting his career at Osasuna.

The loan agreement for the Spaniard was subsequently extended to a permanent one, although he would soon return to Spain the following year, making his time in the North East brief.

After joining Real Sociedad, Merino had an immediate impact and helped the team win the Copa del Rey in 2019–20, snapping a 34-year title drought.

Merino’s performances at the Anoeta Stadium were so good that in 2020 he was called up for the first time as a senior for Spain.

He made 242 appearances for the team overall and scored 27 goals.

With this agreement, Arsenal has added two new players this summer as they aim to challenge Manchester City’s domestic dominance once more.

In July, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori came from Bologna for £42 million, and David Raya left Brentford on a permanent loan.

With two victories from the first two games of the current campaign, Arteta’s team has had a flawless start.