Arsenal Football Club has officially announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on a long-term contract.
The club shared the news on their official website on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. Merino becomes Arsenal’s third senior signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and goalkeeper David Raya, who joined permanently from Brentford.
Who is Mikel Merino?
Merino began his career at Borussia Dortmund in 2016, where he helped the team win the German Cup the following year. He then moved to Newcastle United on a season-long loan, and his impressive performances led to a permanent deal, during which he made 24 Premier League appearances in his debut season.
In 2018, Merino signed with Real Sociedad, where he became a key player. He played a crucial role in their 2020 Copa del Rey victory and was instrumental in helping them qualify for the Champions League last season. Notably, he led Europe’s top leagues with 326 recoveries, the most duels won for possession.
On the international stage, Merino has earned 28 caps for Spain. He was part of the squad that won the European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and the European Under-21 Championship in 2019. He also won an Olympic silver medal, contributing significantly to Spain’s runner-up finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
What jersey number will Merino wear at Arsenal?
Merino will don the number 23 shirt for Arsenal.
He recently featured in Spain’s UEFA EURO 2024 campaign, where he scored a dramatic 119th-minute header to secure a 2-1 quarter-final victory over Germany. Merino also played a crucial role off the bench in the final, helping Spain secure a 2-1 win over England.
