• Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has signed for Arsenal in an £11m move
  • Neither club has officially announced the transfer for veteran Cech
  • But Sportsmail understand the 33-year-old’s signing has gone through
  • Cech spent 11 years at Chelsea and could play against them on August 2 
  • Transfer news: CLICK HERE for all the latest 

Kieran Gill

Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea’s Petr Cech and the goalkeeper could face his former club as soon as August 2 in the Community Shield at Wembley.

Talks over an £11million deal have been ongoing since the season ended and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has finally made the 33-year-old his first signing of the summer.

Jose Mourinho was reluctant to sell Cech to a direct Barclays Premier League rival but, although there has been no official confirmation, Sportsmail understand the transfer has gone through.

Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea's Petr Cech and here is what he could look like next season

Arsenal have completed the signing of Chelsea’s Petr Cech and here is what he could look like next season

Cech has completed his move from Chelsea to Arsenal ahead of the next  Premier League campaign

Cech has completed his move from Chelsea to Arsenal ahead of the next Premier League campaign

Cech could face his former club Chelsea at Wembley on August 2 in the Community Shield

Cech could face his former club Chelsea at Wembley on August 2 in the Community Shield

ARSENAL FIXTURES FOR CECH

Aug 2: Community Shield vs Chelsea

Aug 8: Premier League vs West Ham (h)

Sep 19: Premier League vs Chelsea (a)

Jan 23: Premier League vs Chelsea (h)

Paris Saint-Germain formally approached Chelsea about the veteran but the Czech Republic international preferred to stay in London where his family are based.

Cech wanted to leave Chelsea after playing second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois during their title-winning season, and owner Roman Abramovich has granted him his wish.

Cech’s arrival means either Wojciech Szczesny or David Ospina, who is wanted by Fenerbahce, is likely to leave Arsenal this summer.

Ospina ended last season as Wenger’s No 1, playing a crucial role in guiding Arsenal to Champions League qualification in third place, but the Colombia international is the most likely to be sold.

Cech had one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge but his move also means Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon could follow him to Arsenal.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is set to search for Cech’s replacement with Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic understood to be his prime target.

Cech has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and has signed for the club after 11 years in west London

Cech has agreed personal terms with Arsenal and has signed for the club after 11 years in west London

Cech has completed his move from Chelsea to Arsenal after talks over an £11m move were ongoing

Cech has completed his move from Chelsea to Arsenal after talks over an £11m move were ongoing

Jose Mourinho (right) was reluctant to sell Cech to a direct Barclays Premier League rival

Jose Mourinho (right) was reluctant to sell Cech to a direct Barclays Premier League rival

CECH’S TROPHY HAUL AT CHELSEA 

Premier League titles (4)

FA Cup (4)

League Cup (3)

Community Shield (2)

Champions League

Europa League 

Chelsea captain John Terry gave Arsenal supporters an idea of what to expect from Cech on Monday by claiming the man with four Premier League titles will save them ’12 to 15 points a season’.

Cech spent 11 years at Stamford Bridge and Terry told talkSPORT the goalkeeper can be the difference between first and second place.

‘If they (Arsenal) do get Pete he’s going to strengthen them, for sure, and save them 12, 15 points a season,’ the 34-year-old said. 

Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 from Rennes and made 333 appearances in the Premier League for the club. He won four titles, four FA Cups, the Champions League and Europa League.

Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 and is pictured here with Arjen Robben and Mateja Kezman after signing

Cech joined Chelsea in 2004 and is pictured here with Arjen Robben and Mateja Kezman after signing

Cech (back middle) played in the final of the Capital One Cup in March as Chelsea beat Tottenham

Cech (back middle) played in the final of the Capital One Cup in March as Chelsea beat Tottenham

 


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