Petr Cech signs contract with Arsenal

The transfer of the Czech goalkeeper from Chelsea to Arsenal has been completed, for a fee of approximately $17 million.

Sport Mail (England) claims that Cech could make his Arsenal debut in the FA Community Shield match against his former club Chelsea on August 2nd – just before the start of the new season.

Negotiations between the two London giants regarding Petr Cech began immediately after the end of last season. Ultimately, manager Arsene Wenger decided to sign his first summer signing, the 33-year-old goalkeeper.

Cech was Arsenal's first signing of the summer of 2015. Photo: Empics.

Manager Jose Mourinho actually wanted to keep Cech for the next season, but he reluctantly allowed him to join their city rivals according to his personal wishes. He had made many contributions to Chelsea in previous seasons, but over the past year Cech had gradually lost his number one position to Thibault Courtois.

Neither club has officially confirmed the transfer, but alongside Sport Mail, several other major English newspapers have claimed the deal has been signed by both parties.

Paris Saint Germain also made an official inquiry about buying the veteran goalkeeper, but Cech preferred to join Arsenal because his family had already settled in London.

The arrival of the Czech Republic goalkeeper at Arsenal means that either Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina could leave the Emirates Stadium this summer. Ospina was Wenger's first-choice goalkeeper for the second half of last season, playing a crucial role in helping Arsenal finish third and qualify for the Champions League. However, the Colombian goalkeeper is the one who could be sold, as he is being pursued by Fenerbahçe of Türkiye.

Meanwhile, Mourinho is preparing to look for a replacement for Cech as the second-choice goalkeeper next season. Stoke City's Asmir Begovic is currently considered the Portuguese manager's priority target.

Cech, while playing for Chelsea, achieved every possible glory in his club career. Photo: MO.

Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 from Rennes and made 333 appearances for the London club in the Premier League. He won all the major trophies with the team: four Premier League titles, four FA Cups, three League Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League title, and one Europa League title.

According to VNE