Arsenal sign France U20 star Matteo Guendouzi

Matteo Guendouzi

Arsenal have signed France under-20 midfielder Matteo Guendouzi from Lorient in a deal reportedly worth £7 million.

The club announced the signing on Wednesday, with Guendouzi reported to have signed a four-year deal.

Guendouzi, 19, is regarded as one of the most promising central midfielders in France and is viewed as a signing for the future at Arsenal, but head coach Unai Emery indicated that he expects Guendouzi to fight for a first-team place right away. Guendouzi said he is "immensely proud" to join Arsenal and said he has wanted to play for the club since he was a child.

"My hope is to become a top player here at Arsenal," he said. "A lot of great players have played here. I want to become part of the club's history and to achieve great things here.

"I want to win titles, titles, titles. I want to establish myself here, which would be amazing. Winning silverware, as I said, is very important to me and winning things here at Arsenal would be incredible."