Arsenal confirm signing of Willian on free transfer from Chelsea

Arsenal have confirmed the free signing of former Chelsea winger Willian with the Brazilian set to earn an astonishing £220,000-a-week at the Emirates Stadium.

The 32-year-old’s arrival was confirmed on the Gunners’ Twitter account on Friday morning as he signs a three-year contract and is handed the no 12 shirt.

It came as Sportsmail revealed the incredible amount Willian will earn at his new club in the wake of 55 members of staff being made redundant this month.  

Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Brazilian winger Willian on a free transfer

The Brazilian winger poses with an Arsenal home shirt after completing his move to the club

Arsenal announced confirmation of the Brazilian’s signing on their Twitter account on Friday

Arsenal’s online store was soon selling Willian 12 shirts after the signing was confirmed

Though Willian’s basic salary is lower than he earned at Chelsea, when bonuses, a signing-on fee and loyalty payments over the three years are included, it will amount to £220,000-a-week or around £35m over the course of his contract.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: ‘I believe he’s a player that can really make a difference for us. 

‘We have been monitoring him for the past few months, we had a clear intention to strengthen in the attacking midfielder and the winger positions [and] he is a player that gives us a lot of versatility, he can play in three or four different positions. 

‘He has the experience of everything in the football world but to still have the ambition to come here and contribute to bring the club where it belongs. 

‘I have been really impressed with all the talks I have had with him and how much he wanted to come.’ 

Wlliian makes the move across London after spending seven seasons with Chelsea

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Willian as a player ‘who can make a real difference’ 

Gunners Technical director Edu said: ‘I know him very well, since a long time ago because we’ve been working together for the Brazilian national team and of course I was following him because he played for another club. 

‘He has a lot of fantastic attributes as a person, as a football player of course, his character. 

‘I’m 100 per cent sure that everybody in the dressing room, the fans, myself and Mikel will enjoy having Willian in our side.’ 

The vast sums involved raise questions after Arsenal’s announcement last week that they are proposing to make 55 members of staff redundant.

Insiders say Willian’s unveiling was put back because of the ‘poor optics’ if it had followed hot on the heels of the job-cuts statement. Arsenal deny that is the case.

Willian takes on Arsenal while in Chelsea colours during a Premier League fixture in December

Nevertheless, to commit to spending what could end up being around £35million on a veteran player shortly after the redundancy proposal is bound to go down badly. The deal is also features an option for a fourth year.

Willian — who won the Premier League twice in a glittering Chelsea spell — can shortly start training with his Arsenal team-mates ahead of the new campaign, which starts on September 12.

‘He would have got nowhere near that money at Chelsea,’ a source explained.

‘The signing-on fee reflects that it is a free transfer and if he sees out the duration it’s a great deal for him.’