Official: ‘Calm’ Torreira takes Mesut Ozil’s old 11 shirt

Lucas Torreira has become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer after completing his £26m move from Sampdoria.

The Uruguayan midfielder has finally been unveiled as an Arsenal player after his country’s exit from the World Cup. This has truly been an excellent summer for Arsenal.

He will take the No. 11 shirt vacated by Mesut Ozil, who has taken Jakc Wilshere’s old No. 10 jersey.

“I feel very happy. I want to make the most of this opportunity life has given me. I am really looking forward to starting this new adventure,” says Torreira.

Asked about the Arsenal fans tracking his flight, he said: “I feel calm. I am used to coping with this kind of thing in the best possible way. It’s a very positive thing that people want to welcome me.

“It makes me feel comfortable. Now I am calm and I look forward to the future, which for sure will be very nice.”

Torreira has a tattoo of a lion on his arm and he said: “I just had it done because I liked it. It’s true that a lion represents strength and the spirit we Uruguayans have inside, but I am also a tattoo lover. I liked this tattoo from the moment I saw it.”

Arsenal coach Unai Emery said: “In Lucas Torreira, we have signed a young player who is a very bright talent in the game. A midfielder with great quality, I have enjoyed watching his performances for Sampdoria in the past two seasons, and we all saw him do very well for Uruguay in the World Cup.

“He is a young player already with good experience, but who wants to keep on growing. We welcome Lucas to Arsenal and look forward to him joining us soon for pre-season.”

 

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