Arsenal Football Club has agreed terms with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa to sign teenage striker Joel Campbell.
The 19-year-old, who was in the Costa Rica squad for the recent Copa América and the Under-20 World Cup, has chosen the Gunners despite strong interest from a host of top European clubs.
Born in the Costa Rican capital San José, Campbell is predominantly left-footed and has made six full international appearances, scoring twice. He scored on his debut in a 5-0 win over Cuba at this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, helping his side to the Quarter-Final of the competition.
Campbell added a second to his tally against Bolivia in the Copa América. He has also scored ten times in twelve appearances at Under-20 level, including two goals in three appearances in the Under-20 World Cup in Colombia.
Campbell has had two seasons in his native Primera División, where he played for Deportivo Saprissa and on loan at Puntarenas, making a total of eight league appearances.
Deportivo Saprissa is one of the top clubs in the CONCACAF region and has won the Costa Rican Premier League a record 29 times.
The transfer is subject to the completion of formal agreements and processes.
Arsenal Manager Arsène Wenger said: “Joel Campbell has already shown that he is a player with great ability, and has also performed well on the international stage at a young age. We look forward to the formalities of the transfer being completed and working with Joel when he joins us at Arsenal." – Arsenal.com
Wannabe’s statement
Another winger cum striker, where is the defender? We need that the most. He may look wicked but we have ample of attackers in our disposal. Carlos Vela, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, Theo Walcott, Ryo Miyachi, Gervinho, Robin Van Persie, Maroune Chamakh, Andrei Arshavin and now Joel Campbell! Is wenger gonna play 0-0-10!!
Joel impressed in the Gold Cup and Copa America, and rumours were spreading fast that professeor wants to nab the 19 year old Costa Rican from Deportivo Saprissa (home to Christian Bolanos, Paulo Wanchope and Ronald Gomez).
I was expecting Mata or Hazard to come bit Campbell’s arrival caught me off guard. He is young and feisty but is he capable of handling the pressure at Emirates. It’s a different ball game now for him. Wenger is good in unearthing talents but I’m afraid he might be another ‘Amaury Bischoff’!
Whatever, it is, I still in believe in Wenger, and I only can hope that the Latin version of Campbell would be a good addition for us.
Today, they are going to face Newcastle, and this game will set the tone for them. Losing this game would mean that they will be in a long and arduous season. If they win, then Wenger will prove the critics wrong by ensuring that Arsenal finishes’s in a respective position(kalau boleh, Juara laaa)!
Avinesh’s verdict: This will be the season…Inspired by Michael Jackson, THIS IS IT! We are going to prove the doubters wrong!!!
if we win the first game over Newcastle,it still a long long way to go for Arsenal..cant judge the team in first match..Arsenal need to be consistent throughout the season then can prove the critics wrong lo..hope Arsenal start off with a bang!! =)
ReplyDeletethe confidence will be there mate..if they get their going strong!! then it will be momentous for them...That;s my prediction laa but u have a point it's a long season...but u may never know...great start will end well mate..=)
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