Key Takeaways:
- Arsenal finalised the signing of Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace on Saturday for a reported initial fee of £60 million ($80 million).
- Eze, aged 27, returned to Arsenal after previously being released from the club’s youth system at age 13.
- The forward opted to join Arsenal despite reported interest from Tottenham, and made an appearance before the crowd at the Emirates ahead of the Premier League fixture with Leeds.
Arsenal’s Major Summer Acquisition
Arsenal have completed a high-profile transfer by bringing in England international Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace. The initial fee is reported to be £60 million ($80 million), taking the Gunners’ overall summer expenditure to approximately £250 million ($335 million). Only Liverpool have surpassed that figure among European sides during this transfer window.
Eze’s Return to North London
For Eze, the switch to Arsenal marks a notable homecoming, as he previously spent time in the club’s youth ranks before being released at age 13. The 27-year-old forward was greeted with chants of “one of our own” and received a standing ovation when he was introduced to the Emirates Stadium supporters prior to Arsenal’s Premier League contest against Leeds. Sporting the number 10 shirt, Eze acknowledged fans by blowing kisses to the stands.
Eberechi Eze is a Gunner 🔴 pic.twitter.com/4JQ8PiEEfO
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 23, 2025
Manager and Club Reaction
The announcement of Eze’s arrival was made just minutes before his on-field appearance. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta commented, “His journey, his mentality, and his ambition are exactly what we want in our team, and we love how much it means to him and his family to be joining our club…We all look forward to start working with Eberechi soon.”
Professional Growth and Previous Achievements
Eze launched his professional football career with Queens Park Rangers in the Championship before moving to Crystal Palace in 2020. During his time at Palace, he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most dynamic attacking midfielders and earned regular call-ups to the England national team.
Notably, Eze scored the decisive goal in last season’s FA Cup final as Palace defeated Manchester City 1-0, securing the club’s first qualification for European competition. While Palace took on Fredrikstad of Norway in their inaugural European fixture in the Conference League play-off on Thursday, Eze was absent to complete his transfer to Arsenal.
Transfer Dynamics and Squad Implications
Arsenal succeeded in signing Eze despite reported interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who have recently lost attacking midfielders James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski to lengthy injuries. Eze is anticipated to compete with Gabriel Martinelli for the left wing position and can also operate as one of the No. 8s in central midfield. His arrival follows the signings of Martin Zubimendi, Viktor Gyokeres, and Noni Madueke as Arsenal reinforce their squad in pursuit of their first Premier League title after three consecutive runner-up finishes.
European Ambitions
Having reached last season’s Champions League semi-finals, Arsenal will again rank among the favourites in the tournament. Eze, however, is yet to feature in Europe’s top club competition and now has the opportunity to make his Champions League debut.
