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By Nick Mulvenney
LONDON, April 28 - Dutch left winger Robin van
Persie has agreed to join Arsenal from Feyenoord, the English
champions said on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old will join Arsenal "on a long-term contract
for an undisclosed fee and subject to a medical", the London
club said on their website.
"I'm delighted to be joining a great club like Arsenal, this
is a dream come true for me," the under-21 international said.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, whose team wrapped up their
third English title in seven seasons with a 2-2 draw at
Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, said: "Robin is a great young
talent and a fantastic signing for the club.
"He has a great left foot and is a great passer of the ball
with excellent vision. He is a versatile player and is
comfortable playing as a striker or on the wing."
Van Persie joined Feyenoord as a 14-year-old and over the
last three seasons has scored 14 goals in 77 matches for the
club. He played in the 2002 UEFA Cup final when Feyenoord beat
Borussia Dortmund 3-2.
Arsenal first made an offer for the forward in the January
transfer window but the two clubs failed to come to a agreement
before it closed.
He is set to be officially registered on May 17, when the
transfer window re-opens, and is expected to join the squad for
pre-season training in July, Arsenal said.
Despite his six goals, Van Persie has had a difficult season
at Feyenoord, falling out with coach Bert von Marwijk and
spending much of his time on the bench.
His agreement to join Arsenal comes as Wenger overhauls
their forward line, with the contracts of Dutchman Dennis
Bergkamp, France's Sylvain Wiltord and Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu all
expiring at the end of this season.
Arsenal signed 20-year-old Spanish forward Jose Antonio
Reyes from Sevilla in January.
The two youngsters should complement 30-year-old Frenchman
Robert Pires, still Wenger's first-choice on the left side of
midfield, and main striker Thierry Henry.
"The squad is full of players at the top of their game," Van
Persie said. "I'm looking forward to meeting all my new team
mates in the summer and helping the club to challenge for more
honours."