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Silvestre seals surprise Gunners move
11:04pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has bolstered his defensive options after the Gunners completed the signing of Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre for an undisclosed fee.
The 31-year-old, who missed a large part of last season with knee ligament damage, has agreed a two-year deal at the Emirates Stadium after nine years at Old Trafford.
With his contract set to expire next season Silvestre had been linked with a move to Bordeaux and Manchester City during the summer but has opted to move to north London.
Silvestre had fallen down the pecking order at United with Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand becoming Sir Alex Ferguson's first-choice partnership at the heart of the defence.
Wes Brown and John O'Shea can also provide cover in the centre and have recently agreed new deals at the club while Patrice Evra has made the left-back spot his own.
And with his contract set to expire in 2009 Ferguson has allowed Silvestre - who is the first player to leave United for Arsenal since Brian Kidd 34 years ago - to join one of their major Barclays Premier League rivals.
Wenger said: "We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael's versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season.
"His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it's a big plus that Mikael has top-level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League."
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Mikael Silvestre
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