Arsenal sign defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £55m
What's the story
Arsenal have officially announced the signing of defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for a fee of £55 million. The England international has put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with an option for an additional year, after successfully passing his medical examination. The transfer is structured as an initial fee of £51 million, with potential add-ons worth up to £4 million, as per Sky Sports News.
Player's statement
It's a proud moment for me: Konsa
Upon the announcement of his transfer, Konsa expressed his pride in joining Arsenal.
"It's a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world," he said.
The 28-year-old defender also reiterated his commitment to winning with the club, saying, "I'm here to win. I'll do everything in my power to continue bringing success to this club."
Upcoming match
Konsa's debut could be against former club Aston Villa
Konsa's Arsenal debut could come against his former club Aston Villa at Villa Park on August 31.
The transfer comes as a timely addition to the Gunners's defense, especially with William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both currently sidelined due to injuries.
Initially, Villa had demanded £60 million for Konsa but a compromise was reached between the two clubs on Thursday.
Director's remarks
Arsenal's sporting director Andrea Berta on the defender
Arsenal's Sporting Director Andrea Berta praised Konsa for his high quality, athleticism, composure, and tactical intelligence.
He said the new signing would bring valuable versatility to their squad while maintaining high defensive standards.
"We are welcoming a player with proven Premier League and international experience, and strong leadership qualities," Berta added.
"Just as importantly, we are welcoming a player with the character and mentality to make an immediate impact within our club."
Numbers
Decoding Konsa's career in numbers
Konsa started his career with Charlton Athletic. He made 86 appearances.
In 2018-19, be played for Brentford, making 47 appearances and scoring one goal.
He moved to Villa next and went on to play 286 times across competitions. He bagged 12 goals.
231 of his appearances for Villa came in the Premier League. He scored 8 goals and made 2 assists.
Meanwhile, Konsa has also made 28 appearances for England. He owns 2 goals.
Twitter Post
Gunner!
Built for the battle.
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 21, 2026
Konsa is a Gunner ✍️ pic.twitter.com/osUk47982u