Arsenal confirm Vermaelen signing

Burndogg · 19th June 2009, 17:11

Arsenal have completed the signing of Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old centre-back is a regular at international level and made his debut for Belgium in March 2006.
"Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal and we are all delighted that he is joining us," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told the club's website.
"He is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and Uefa Cup football."
More to follow.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...al/8109969.stm

Is he shit?

Diver · 19th June 2009, 17:13

Isn't he quite small for a centre back?

Zen86 · 19th June 2009, 17:15

Probably turn out to be shit hot knowing prune face.

Count Duckula · 19th June 2009, 17:15

He's really highly rated, actually!

Burndogg · 19th June 2009, 17:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

He's really highly rated, actually!

Arsenal have bought a highly rated player???

Count Duckula · 19th June 2009, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burndogg

Arsenal have bought a highly rated player???

The shocking part is he's over the legal age of consent.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

Isn't he quite small for a centre back?

he's 184cm with a big leap.

RonaldoVII · 19th June 2009, 17:22

So Wenger spends big on a 2nd player in 6 months. I expect more will follow and the press will still go on about him not spending. Wonder which joker Vermalien will replace in the team.

Burndogg · 19th June 2009, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count Duckula

The shocking part is he's over the legal age of consent.

in that case im going to have to refuse to believe it!!

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:26

Quote:

Vermaelen arrives at Arsenal
Belgian defender completes switch to Emirates Stadium

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...389236,00.html

Defender Thomas Vermaelen has completed his move to Arsenal from Ajax for an undisclosed fee. The Belgium international has penned a long-term contract with the North London outfit and will be hoping to add some much-needed steel to the heart of the Gunners defence. The 23-year-old, who captained Ajax throughout last season, will primarily be utilised as a centre-half, but can operate at full-back if required.

His capture has delighted Arsene Wenger, with the Frenchman tipping Vermaelen to be a big hit in England. "Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal Football Club, and we are all delighted that he is joining us," Wenger told the club's official website.

"Thomas is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and Uefa Cup football and is also a regular with the Belgium national team. "Thomas is primarily a left-footed centre back, but he's multi-functional and can also play at left back. "He is strong technically with a positive winner's attitude and I have no doubt his arrival will strengthen our team. Thomas Vermaelen will be a huge asset to Arsenal."

Vermaelen has immediately set his sights on securing silverware having arrived in the Premier League.

He said: "Firstly, I have to say that I'm sad to be leaving Ajax and I would just like to thank everyone for their help and friendship towards me over the past eight years. "I'm just so happy to be joining Arsenal. This is a great club with a world class manager, high quality players and a fantastic stadium. "Everything is set up for Arsenal to be very successful for years to come and I joined this club because I know Arsenal will be challenging for trophies.

"I have had a good taste of the Champions League during my time with Ajax and this is something I am looking forward to experiencing again with Arsenal. "I'm also looking forward to playing in the English Premier League, which for me, is the best league in the world. Also, I just want to assure the Arsenal fans that I will give everything for this club and I hope we can enjoy winning some trophies together next season."

I'm happy with this aquisition, and that it was done with relatively little fuss - aside from the stink Jol kicked up when he learnt we were buying him.

I can't wait to see him in action, and I think the versitility (can play LB too) will probably mean the end of Sylvestre.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonaldoVII

So Wenger spends big on a 2nd player in 6 months. I expect more will follow and the press will still go on about him not spending. Wonder which joker Vermalien will replace in the team.

Spending big?

£11, which is one of the more reported sums, is hardly big thesedays. Though it sure is big for us. I think it's mostly a reflection of the market thesedays, Nasri, Arshavin and now Vermaelen all went for healthy sums - but it's the going rate and not a pound more.

izzydiggler · 19th June 2009, 17:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

Spending big?

£11, which is one of the more reported sums, is hardly big thesedays. Though it sure is big for us. I think it's mostly a reflection of the market thesedays, Nasri, Arshavin and now Vermaelen all went for healthy sums - but it's the going rate and not a pound more.

Well for £11, you can't complain. Just bought a bottle of JD that cost me a lot more, so at worst, if it doesn't work out, it's only a few beers on a Friday night.

anything about now · 19th June 2009, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzydiggler

Well for £11, you can't complain. Just bought a bottle of JD that cost me a lot more, so at worst, if it doesn't work out, it's only a few beers on a Friday night.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by izzydiggler

Well for £11, you can't complain. Just bought a bottle of JD that cost me a lot more, so at worst, if it doesn't work out, it's only a few beers on a Friday night.

well, he did originate from germinal BEERschot.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by anything about now

SmashedHombre · 19th June 2009, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

well, he did originate from germinal BEERschot.

RonaldoVII · 19th June 2009, 17:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

Spending big?

£11, which is one of the more reported sums, is hardly big thesedays. Though it sure is big for us. I think it's mostly a reflection of the market thesedays, Nasri, Arshavin and now Vermaelen all went for healthy sums - but it's the going rate and not a pound more.

8 figures for a defender coming into the Premier League is big in my book. I don't see why this transfer should be subject to inflated fees by Madrid and City. It's not massive, but slightly more than the previous central defenders arriving like Vidic, Agger, Skrtel etc. Perhaps it's the weakening pound which would probably make them similar.

It shows that Arsene aint prepared to sit on his arse in the market though. I can't claim to know him apart from on FM so I wont bother, but you did need a central defender and the fact he can play LB too is a bonus. Central midfielder next on the agenda?

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashedHombre

it was a long schot, i'll admit.......

SmashedHombre · 19th June 2009, 17:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

it was a long schot, i'll admit.......

Dear God won't somebody make him stop??

Brwned · 19th June 2009, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonaldoVII

So Wenger spends big on a 2nd player in 6 months. I expect more will follow and the press will still go on about him not spending. Wonder which joker Vermalien will replace in the team.

Well he is their second most expensive signing ever, behind Arshavin, so it's not like the press were wrong to go on about him spending hardly anything before.

Gazidis has came in and injected a bit of needed urgency into the club.

peterstorey · 19th June 2009, 17:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

Well he is their second most expensive signing ever, behind Arshavin, so it's not like the press were wrong to go on about him spending hardly anything before.

Gazidis has came in and injected a bit of needed urgency into the club.

Gazidis just does the commercials, he doesn't impact the playing side.

TuTuHimm · 19th June 2009, 17:48

Verma Verma Verma Verma Verma Vermaelen
You come and go
You come and go

Brwned · 19th June 2009, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterstorey

Gazidis just does the commercials, he doesn't impact the playing side.

Gazidis was the one in Russia while talks were going on with Zenit, from what I've been told.

Xander45 · 19th June 2009, 17:55

Not heard much about him, but Arsene very rarely makes poor signings so i expect him to be more than competent.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonaldoVII

8 figures for a defender coming into the Premier League is big in my book. I don't see why this transfer should be subject to inflated fees by Madrid and City. It's not massive, but slightly more than the previous central defenders arriving like Vidic, Agger, Skrtel etc. Perhaps it's the weakening pound which would probably make them similar.

It shows that Arsene aint prepared to sit on his arse in the market though. I can't claim to know him apart from on FM so I wont bother, but you did need a central defender and the fact he can play LB too is a bonus. Central midfielder next on the agenda?

I (we) hope so, someone to really compliment Fabregas would be excellent - a tough tackling ball winner in the vein of Flamini. And you're right it is quite a decent sum for any player, especially a defender, especially for Arsenal. Which makes me think that'd be most (if not all) of our budget for this window. I think we may have to sell to fund our next purchase.

Lorik Cana from Marseille's been linked before and he sounds like he fits the bill perfectly, maybe a deal with Diaby going the other way could be struck?

And with Song continuing to develop we'll have a few good options to choose, and a solid squad to attack the season with.

peterstorey · 19th June 2009, 17:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

Gazidis was the one in Russia while talks were going on with Zenit, from what I've been told.

Yeah, doing the commercials as Ken Friar did before him.

cina · 19th June 2009, 18:01

Arsenal need defensive players, so it's a good purchase if he's a good player. Gallas is getting on in years and Toure isn't what he used to be.

They need a good defensive mid now, such as Lorik Cana, and they can certainly challenge next season then.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

Well he is their second most expensive signing ever, behind Arshavin, so it's not like the press were wrong to go on about him spending hardly anything before.

Gazidis has came in and injected a bit of needed urgency into the club.

Thought Reyes (and even Henry and Wiltord for that matter) was (were) bought for more than Vermaelen's reported price?

What a bloody waste of talent he (Reyes) is. He had just so much to give, yet his mind broke. Sigh. Ah well this is about Vermaelen, which is quite a fun name to say.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmashedHombre

Dear God won't somebody make him stop??

i know i know, my overbearing lameness is a germinal disease.

please kill me.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by TuTuHimm

Verma Verma Verma Verma Verma Vermaelen
You come and go
You come and go

Brwned · 19th June 2009, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

Thought Reyes (and even Henry and Wiltord for that matter) was (were) bought for more than Vermaelen's reported price?

What a bloody waste of talent he (Reyes) is. He had just so much to give, yet his mind broke. Sigh. Ah well this is about Vermaelen, which is quite a fun name to say.

Well I dunno, Vermaelen's apparently costing £12.5m, which is more than your lot paid for Reyes and the other two.

Raven_Blade · 19th June 2009, 18:09

Im not that familiar with him but Arsenal have paid a decent price for him. We will find out how good a defender he is next season.

rocks13 · 19th June 2009, 18:13

Can't say I know a lot about the guy but buying a centre-half certainly addresses one of Arsenal's problem areas of last season.

If they they bring in a decent central midfielder now they could be genuine challengers next season (plus Peterstorey can stop pretending that Diaby, Denilson and Song are quality players!)

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brwned

Well I dunno, Vermaelen's apparently costing £12.5m, which is more than your lot paid for Reyes and the other two.

Hrm, well I've been reading anywhere between 9 to 11 (I'm thinking probably slightly less than this with add ons). Doubt we'll ever know.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocks13

Can't say I know a lot about the guy but buying a centre-half certainly addresses one of Arsenal's problem areas of last season.

If they they bring in a decent central midfielder now they could be genuine challengers next season (plus Peterstorey can stop pretending that Diaby, Denilson and Song are quality players!)

Song's becoming one, make no mistake. The jury's still out on the other two, but at the least they'll be handy squad players.

Brophs · 19th June 2009, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by rocks13

Can't say I know a lot about the guy but buying a centre-half certainly addresses one of Arsenal's problem areas of last season.

If they they bring in a decent central midfielder now they could be genuine challengers next season (plus Peterstorey can stop pretending that Diaby, Denilson and Song are quality players!)

I can see all three of those being very good players if they stay fit. Denilson's come on leaps and bounds this season, as has Song, albeit to a lesser extent. With Diaby, it might be as much about finding a position for him in their team, as he seems to like playing behind the front man, which their system at the moment doesn't really allow for.

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:20

The Ajax site's saying the deal is worth 12 million Euros, which equates to what exactly?

Brophs · 19th June 2009, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by cesc's_mullet

The Ajax site's saying the deal is worth 12 million Euros, which equates to what exactly?

According to www.xe.com it's £10,163,660.62

cesc's_mullet · 19th June 2009, 18:25

Yeah that seems about right to me.

Edit: It's been reported at €10 million up front, with €2 in added extras. So that's £8.4 million pounds up front. Seems like a good healthy price, not a crippling sum, and nor is Wenger skimping out.

Hopefully this turns out to be quite a deal for us, it certainly sounds like he's got all the hallmarks of a quality defender - and more specifically, the type of defender we need: He's agressive, a natural leader and has a good leap (and can score with his head).

19th June 2009, 17:11	#1 (permalink)
Burndogg First Team Regular Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Fuck Off Posts: 14,460	Arsenal confirm Vermaelen signing <a href="http://d.mediadakine.com/ck.php?n=ad232b97&cb=72574" target="_blank"><img src="http://d.mediadakine.com/avw.php?zoneid=81&cb=72574&n=ad232b97" border="0" alt="" /></a> Arsenal have completed the signing of Belgium defender Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax for an undisclosed fee. The 23-year-old centre-back is a regular at international level and made his debut for Belgium in March 2006. "Thomas is a great signing for Arsenal and we are all delighted that he is joining us," Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger told the club's website. "He is a solid performer with good experience of Champions League and Uefa Cup football." More to follow. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...al/8109969.stm Is he shit?

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19th June 2009, 17:13	#2 (permalink)
Diver ....and nobody likes a diver. Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Watch Diver Shoots His Load In The General Posts: 3,958	Isn't he quite small for a centre back?

19th June 2009, 17:15	#3 (permalink)
Zen86 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: its a nice day for a.. white wedding Posts: 2,565	Probably turn out to be shit hot knowing prune face.

19th June 2009, 17:15	#4 (permalink)
Count Duckula Sucker Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tali'Zorah vas Normandy. Posts: 15,376	He's really highly rated, actually!

19th June 2009, 17:22	#8 (permalink)
RonaldoVII First Team Sub Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: E236:24:101 Posts: 6,733	So Wenger spends big on a 2nd player in 6 months. I expect more will follow and the press will still go on about him not spending. Wonder which joker Vermalien will replace in the team.

19th June 2009, 17:48	#22 (permalink)
TuTuHimm Can definitely write definitely correctly Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Probably Posts: 2,609	Verma Verma Verma Verma Verma Vermaelen You come and go You come and go

19th June 2009, 17:55	#24 (permalink)
Xander45 Know-It-All Champion May 2009 Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Loyal Dioufist Posts: 8,840	Not heard much about him, but Arsene very rarely makes poor signings so i expect him to be more than competent.

19th June 2009, 18:01	#27 (permalink)
cina Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: In the aeroplane over the sea Posts: 4,826	Arsenal need defensive players, so it's a good purchase if he's a good player. Gallas is getting on in years and Toure isn't what he used to be. They need a good defensive mid now, such as Lorik Cana, and they can certainly challenge next season then.

19th June 2009, 18:09	#32 (permalink)
Raven_Blade Attention Whoring Common Crow Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: United till I die Posts: 26,433	Im not that familiar with him but Arsenal have paid a decent price for him. We will find out how good a defender he is next season.

19th June 2009, 18:13	#33 (permalink)
rocks13 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Belfast Posts: 1,291	Can't say I know a lot about the guy but buying a centre-half certainly addresses one of Arsenal's problem areas of last season. If they they bring in a decent central midfielder now they could be genuine challengers next season (plus Peterstorey can stop pretending that Diaby, Denilson and Song are quality players!)

19th June 2009, 18:20	#37 (permalink)
cesc's_mullet Get a haircut Hippy! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: song's awesome hair Posts: 15,294	The Ajax site's saying the deal is worth 12 million Euros, which equates to what exactly?

19th June 2009, 18:25	#39 (permalink)
cesc's_mullet Get a haircut Hippy! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: song's awesome hair Posts: 15,294	Yeah that seems about right to me. Edit: It's been reported at €10 million up front, with €2 in added extras. So that's £8.4 million pounds up front. Seems like a good healthy price, not a crippling sum, and nor is Wenger skimping out. Hopefully this turns out to be quite a deal for us, it certainly sounds like he's got all the hallmarks of a quality defender - and more specifically, the type of defender we need: He's agressive, a natural leader and has a good leap (and can score with his head).