Arsenal Football Club have confirmed the signing of Spain’s midfielder, Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad on a long-term deal.

The announcement was made on the official website of the Gunners on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. MIkel Merino is Arsenal’s third senior signing of the 2024 summer transfer window after defender Riccardo Calafiori arrived from Bologna and goalkeeper David Raya was signed on a permanent transfer from Brentford.

Who is Mikel Merino?

Merino joined Borussia Dortmund in 2016 and helped them win the German Cup the following May. He later joined Newcastle United on a season-long loan and, after an impressive outing, he was signed on a permanent deal just a couple of months later, making 24 Premier League appearances in his debut season.

He signed for Sociedad in 2018 where he played his football there ever since and played an integral role as they won the 2020 Copa del Rey, and qualified for the Champions League last season, when he won more duels for possession than any other player in Europe’s top leagues, with 326 recoveries.

Mikel is an experienced international with 28 appearances for Spain, he won the European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and the European Under-21 Championship in 2019 with the Youth team. He also has an Olympic silver medal, playing a key role in Spain’s second-place finish at the 2020 Games in Japan.

What Jersey number will Merino wear at Arsenal?

Mikel Merino will wear the number 23 shirt for the Gunners.

He was part of the Spain squad for UEFA EURO 2024, he scored the winning goal via a header in the 119th minute to win the quarter-final 2-1 against Germany. Merino came off the bench in the final to help Spain beat England 2-1.

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