Montpellier forward Olivier Giroud has agreed to join Arsenal on a long-term contract, the English club announced yesterday.
The 25-year-old France striker completed a medical before agreeing terms at the club’s training ground on Monday evening.
The completion of the transfer is now just the subject of “formal processes”, according to Arsenal.
Giroud said the style of football Arsenal, who finished third in the English top-flight last season, play under French manager Arsene Wenger had been a major factor in his decision.
“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger’s ‘touch’ at this club,” he said.
“I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here.”
Wenger said: “We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.”
Giroud arrives in north London from Montpellier, where 21 goals in 36 league appearances made him the French league’s joint top goalscorer last season and also earned him a place in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.
Giroud, who enjoyed a two-year spell at the Stade de la Mosson and broke into the national team in November 2011, flew to London after representing France at Euro 2012 where they exited to Spain in the quarter-finals.
“He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season,” said Wenger who has already bolstered his squad with the signing of Germany marksman Lukas Podolski.
The Gunners now look set to offload some of their fringe players, such as Morocco international Marouane Chamakh, Mexico forward Carlos Vela, Brazilian midfielder Denilson and Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner.
Fulham, meanwhile, are re-ported to be ready to step up their interest in a £5 million move for Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey following the departure of their captain Danny Murphy to Blackburn Rovers.