Mikel Merino leaves Real Sociedad and signs with Arsenal

Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino will play for Arsenal from this season onwards, after Real Sociedad and the English club reached an agreement for his transfer, both clubs confirmed on Tuesday. “Hello, ‘txuri urdin’ family, the time has come to say goodbye to you. I do so with a mixture of feelings in my heart: on the one hand sadness, for leaving behind a wonderful stage of my life, and on the other peace, for having the feeling of having given everything in my path,” he said in a statement published on the website of the San Sebastian team. In addition, the Navarrese recognised that he has lived “six wonderful years”, where he has grown hand in hand “with the club and the team”, “starting as a group of inexperienced youngsters, and ending with five European years and a Champions League to dream of”. “Without forgetting the first Basque final in history, being Cup champions after so long. Historic,” he said. “Beyond the sporting achievements, these have been years in which I have met people who are forever good, hard-working and humble, who support you and make you feel at home. It is difficult to say goodbye to people who have welcomed you with open arms and made you one more member of the family, because that is what we feel we are leaving behind: a family. Thank you to Real and Donosti for everything you have given us. Eskerrik asko eta gero arte. I will always carry you in my heart,” he concluded. Merino, 28, joined the Basque team in 2018, and has played 242 games with the ‘txuri urdin’ shirt, in which he has scored 27 goals and given 30 assists; he was fundamental in winning the Copa del Rey in 2020 and in qualifying for the Champions League last season. The Pamplona native began his professional career at Osasuna before joining Borussia Dortmund and, later, Newcastle United. Now, he signs a “long-term contract” with the ‘gunners’. “We are very pleased to have completed the transfer of Mikel Merino. This has been another great team effort by many people at the club to finalise the transfer of a player who attracted interest from several clubs during the summer,” said the club’s sporting director, Edu. “Mikel was a key target for us this summer, and we identified him as a player who can fit perfectly into our squad and profile to improve us, as we want to build on our good performances from last season. With Mikel’s arrival, he brings us a great additional quality of experience, physicality and speed for the season ahead,” he added. For his part, the team’s coach, Mikel Arteta, assured that Merino will bring them “enormous quality with his experience and versatility.” “He has played at the very top of football, both at club and international level for several seasons. Mikel will make our team significantly stronger, with his technical ability, together with his strong and positive character and personality,” he said. “As we all saw in the summer, Mikel is also a winner, with his solid performances throughout the Euros helping Spain win the tournament. We are delighted to welcome Mikel and his family to the club and we are looking forward to starting to work with him,” he continued about the footballer, who will wear the number 23 shirt. For its part, Real Sociedad said goodbye to a “key player in the achievements of the last five years”. “With the Navarrese in our midfield we have experienced wonderful moments. That piece of art in the form of a pass to Portu at La Cartuja will be something we will never forget. An example of a footballer and teammate, Merino leaves with 242 games under his belt and, above all, with the recognition and gratitude of the entire ‘txuri urdin’ family. We have given him a lot and he has given us the best of himself. Now he faces another challenge in which we wish him the best. We will be happy for him. This will always be your home, Mikel. Eskerrik asko,” he said.