Arsenal have completed the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford.
The two clubs agreed a deal for on a initial fee of £10million ($13.6m) for the midfielder, plus a further £2m in potential add-ons.
The former Brentford captain underwent a medical and joins on a two-year contract with the option of a third.
The 31-year-old, who will wear the No. 16 shirt, joins Martin Zubimendi, who arrived from Real Sociedad on Sunday, as midfield reinforcements to Mikel Arteta’s squad this summer.
Norgaard is Arsenal’s third signing of the transfer window following the arrival of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea.
Arsenal are in advanced talks with Sporting CP over a deal to sign Viktor Gyokeres, while they have also agreed personal terms with Chelsea winger Noni Madueke and are trying to sign Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera.
Norgaard was a key player for Brentford after joining the club from Fiorentina in 2019.
The Denmark international helped his side to Premier League promotion in 2021 and played regularly as they consolidated their place in the top-flight under Thomas Frank, who he had previously been coached by at Brondby and in the Denmark set-up.
The midfielder made 196 appearances for Brentford, and was named captain of the club following defender Pontus Jansson’s departure to Malmo in 2023.
Manager Mikel Arteta said: “We’re delighted to welcome Christian to Arsenal. He is an international player with a wealth of experience of the Premier League. He has proven leadership skills and a strong character which will be invaluable to our squad.
“He is a strong midfielder with excellent tactical awareness and versatility. He also has physical presence and intelligence which will give us added depth and balance. Christian will bring a lot to the group both on and off the pitch, and we’re excited to start working with him in this next chapter of his career.”
What will Christian Norgaard bring to Arsenal?
Analysis by Anantaajith Raghuraman
Norgaard is not a glamorous signing compared to the other names linked with Arsenal, but he is a necessary addition.
The 31-year-old is a true holding midfielder, offering assurance in playing out from the back and moving the ball through the thirds at the required tempo. Simultaneously, Norgaard offers defensive cover, primarily through interceptions and positioning, and is not afraid to make crunching tackles and commit tactical fouls. As the map below shows, he does not shy away from dispossessing opponents further up the pitch either.
The Denmark international’s signing, along with that of Zubimendi, signals a potential change in approach from Arsenal. Both Norgaard and Zubimendi excel in progressing play through passes, which should, in theory, enable Arsenal to maximise the ball-carrying abilities from deeper positions of Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
Norgaard could also be a useful Premier League-proven starter early in the coming season while Zubimendi adapts to life in north London.
(Clive Rose/Getty Images)