Arsenal confirm new sporting director appointment | OneFootball

Arsenal have officially confirmed that Andrea Berta has joined the club as their new sporting director, following his January departure from Atletico Madrid.

Photo via Arsenal.com

Arsenal have announced that Andrea Berta is joining the club as a sporting director, having previously worked for Carpenedolo, Parma, Genoa, and Atletico Madrid.

“I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club,” Berta said.

“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to reestablishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.

“I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters.”

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“Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure,” Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke added. “He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.

“Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.

“We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out.

“We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”

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Berta has been appointed to replace Edu Gaspar, who left Arsenal late last year. Gaspar is reportedly taking up a role working with the group of teams controlled by Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, with Marinakis previously confirming that’s the plan.

Berta was one of a number of names under consideration at Arsenal, including Real Sociedad’s Roberto Olabe and former Manchester United sporting director Dan Ashworth.

There was also consideration given to the possibility of promoting interim sporting director Jason Ayto to the job full-time, but the club ultimately opted to bring in someone new.

Berta left Atletico in January, after a 12-year spell with the club, so talks were eased by the fact Arsenal didn’t have to negotiate a release with the director’s old club.

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The new sporting director has work to do at Arsenal, both on the contract front and in terms of summer incomings. The Gunners can’t waste time in either case, with key players entering the final two years of their contracts this summer and a clear need for additions in a few key positions.