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ARSENAL MAKE THIRD SUMMER SIGNING EZRI KONSA OFFICIAL
Arsenal have confirmed there third summer signing Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for a fee of £51M.
AFCFLAIR
21st August 2026 - 16:29PM
Arsenal have officially announced the signing of England international defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa, completing a deal worth an initial £51 million plus potential add-ons. The 28-year-old center-back has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, which includes an option for an additional 12 months. In a dramatic piece of timing, Konsa will wear the number 15 shirt and is set to be unveiled to the home crowd at 8:00 PM tonight, just moments before the reigning Premier League champions kick off their title defense against newly-promoted Coventry City.
The blockbuster transfer caps off a summer-long pursuit by Mikel Arteta, who identified Konsa as his primary target to resolve a sudden defensive crisis. With star center-half William Saliba sidelined for several months due to a serious back injury sustained at the 2026 World Cup, and versatile fullback Jurrien Timber still recovering from a persistent groin issue, the Gunners' recruitment team moved quickly to secure proven Premier League quality. Sporting Director Andrea Berta expressed his delight on the Official Arsenal Website, praising Konsa's athleticism, tactical intelligence, and ability to comfortably operate at both central defense and right-back.
Konsa arrives in north London at the absolute peak of his powers, fresh off a spectacular year where he helped Aston Villa lift the UEFA Europa League and played every single minute of England's run to the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. His arrival further underlines Arsenal's intent to retain their domestic crown, joining an impressive list of summer recruits that includes Bruno Guimarães, Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier, and Piero Hincapié. While the registration deadline means Konsa will watch tonight's match against Coventry from the stands, his debut could come in a highly anticipated twist of fate on August 31st—when Arsenal travel to Villa Park to face his former club.
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