Arsenal have completed the January signing of Pablo Mari from Flamengo, on loan until the end of the season.
Mari has joined for the remainder of the campaign, for a loan fee in the region of £4million.
Arsenal have the option to make the deal a permanent one if he impresses in north London.
The centre-back becomes Mikel Arteta’s first signing as Gunners boss, with the Spaniard having wanted to strengthen his backline.
Upon signing, Mari said: “I’m happy to be here today and to have signed for a big club. I’m going to do my best to help my team-mates and the club.”
Arsenal’s technical director Edu added: “Pablo is an experienced player who will provide us with additional defensive quality.
“We have been monitoring Pablo’s career for a while and we are very pleased to have reached agreement with Flamengo for him to join us initially until the end of our season.
“Together with Mikel and his coaching team, we are all looking forward to seeing Pablo in an Arsenal shirt.”
The injury to German defender Shkodran Mustafi enhanced Arsenal’s need for reinforcements, leading them to push through a move for Mari, who impressed in Flamengo’s successful Copa Libertadores campaign in 2019.
Spanish defender Mari previously had three seasons attached to Manchester City, but never played for the champions, having been sent on loan to Girona, NAC Breda and Deportivo La Coruna.
Flamengo posted a farewell message to Mari on social media.
The message read: “The time has come to say goodbye to this defender who arrived at Flamengo to make his mark in our history with the titles of Conmebol Libertadores and the Brazilian Championship. Pablo Mari, thanks for everything.”
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