Arsenal have completed a deal to sign Chelsea's Petr Cech, with the goalkeeper putting pen to paper on a long-term deal. News of the transfer was confirmed in a release from Arsenal
"Petr Cech is a player that I have admired for a long time, and I am very pleased that he has decided to join us," manager Arsene Wenger said in the club release. "He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world, and he will add great strength to our squad."
When Chelsea demoted Cech to second-string 'keeper last season behind Thibaut Courtois, it became fairly obvious that the veteran star would likely seek more playing time at a different club after the campaign.
As the 'keeper headed to north London, he issued a statement saying goodbye to the club he joined in 2004
Cech, 33, appeared in just seven Premier League games for the Blues in 2014-15, earning a 6.89 average match rating, per WhoScored.com, in that time. For a player who started his Chelsea career in 2004 and was almost exclusively the starting 'keeper, it was surely an adjustment.
Indeed, Cech had established himself as one of the top 'keepers in the world during his tenure with Chelsea. But manager Jose Mourinho clearly felt the younger Courtois held more potential—and indeed, Courtois was often brilliant as the starter—making Cech expendable at the club.