Arsenal have announced the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia, describing him as “one of the strongest young defenders in European football.”
The 21-year-old joins for an initial fee of around €15m (£13m) on a five-year deal, with an option for a further year.
Capable of playing both centre-back and right-back, Mosquera arrives as a replacement for Takehiro Tomiyasu, who left the club earlier this month by mutual consent.
“This was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. Arsenal is a historic and massive club, and when you come here with your family, you feel the greatness of the place,” Mosquera told the club website. “My career has developed quickly, and I’ve had to mature fast. Joining Arsenal is a chance to keep learning and improving.”
A Spain Under-21 international, Mosquera joined Valencia’s academy in 2016 and became their youngest-ever centre-back when he made his senior debut in 2022. He went on to make 90 appearances, starting 37 of their 38 La Liga games last season as they finished 12th.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised Mosquera as a player of “exciting talent and enormous potential,” while sporting director Andrea Berta highlighted his versatility and long-term value. “We identified Cristhian as one of the strongest young defenders in European football. He will be an important signing for our future and a big boost to our squad,” said Berta.
Mosquera becomes Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer, following Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke, with Viktor Gyokeres also nearing a move to the Emirates.
The defender will link up with the squad for their pre-season tour of Asia, having already been cleared to travel by Valencia.
Arsenal beat AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore on Wednesday and will face Newcastle United on Sunday before travelling to Hong Kong to take on Tottenham Hotspur.
