Jorginho has been spotted in Arsenal colours for the very first time since completing his surprise £12million move from Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Initial pictures circulating on social media ahead of the official club announcement also appear to show that the Italian midfielder - joined by agent Joao Santos - will wear the no20 shirt in north London, having agreed an 18-month deal to swap Stamford Bridge for the Emirates Stadium mid-season.
Jorginho was set to be out of contract at Chelsea in the summer and becomes Arsenal’s coveted midfield signing to close the January window after Brighton rejected two bids for top target Moises Caicedo worth up to £70m and made it crystal clear that the Ecuador international was not for sale at any price.
The 31-year-old will become the third and surely final signing of the month for Mikel Arteta, following £26m winger Leandro Trossard and £20m defender Jakub Kiwior, who arrived from Brighton and Serie A side Spezia respectively last week.
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Jorginho could make his debut for Arsenal on Saturday as the Premier League leaders travel to face Sean Dyche’s Everton at Goodison Park and boosts Arsenal’s options in the middle with Mohamed Elneny likely to struggle to play again this season due to a serious knee injury and Albert Sambi Lokonga set for a loan move to Crystal Palace.
Here’s Jorginho in Arsenal shirt after deal signed until June 2024 with an option to further season — together with his agent João Santos ⚪️🔴🤝🏻 #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 31, 2023
Official statement to follow. pic.twitter.com/duFKUjCSAs
Thomas Partey also suffered an injury scare after sustaining a rib problem during the 1-0 FA Cup fourth-round defeat by title rivals Manchester City last week, but he is optimistic of facing struggling Everton after avoiding a lasting injury.
More photos have since emerged on Twitter of Jorginho in a jacket and trousers adorned with the no20, which had previously been the number of Portuguese left-back Nuno Tavares, currently on a season-long loan in France with Marseille.
Other players to have worn it at Arsenal in recent years include the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Mathieu Flamini, Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos.
Jorginho wore the no5 at Chelsea, having been the no8 at previous club Napoli and no19 during his formative years at Hellas Verona in Italy.
