English soccer giants Arsenal have officially signed Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina from French club OGC Nice for a sum of $5.1 million.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of the club’s new signing, “David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper, with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia. He will add strength to our squad, and we are very pleased that he will be joining us,” Arsenal’s official website stated.
Ospina will compete with last season’s starting goalkeeper, Polish youngster Wojciech Szczęsny, for the first spot and will join an Arsenal squad that placed fourth in last year’s Premier League.
Ospina’s signing is Arsenal’s third of the summer, and the third Colombian national team player to sign with a European club, with Adrian Ramos joining German giants Borussia Dortmund, James Rodriguez joining 10-time European champion Real Madrid, and now David Ospina joining Arsenal.
MORE: Colombia’s James Rodriguez officially joins Real Madrid
While two of his fellow national teammates have found other clubs, rumors swirl about other players that assisted Colombia to its fifth place World Cup finish, including Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, Jackson Martinez, and Fredy Guarin.
The Colombian keeper had an excellent World Cup performance, playing a major role in Colombia’s quarterfinal run that ended in a defeat at the hands of Brazil.
David Ospina, a 25 year-old goalkeeper from Medellin, Antioquia, with 49 appearances for the national team, debuted for his hometown Atletico Nacional as goalkeeper at the age of 17, leading to his talent being recognized by French club OGC Nice, where he would spend the next six years.
Ospina departed with a tearful good bye to his French club OGC Nice, where he played for six years and had a major part in his development as a player.
Sources
- Arsenal to sign David Ospina from Nice (Arsenal F.C.)