Teenage winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has completed his move to Arsenal for a Southampton club record fee.
The 17-year-old is a long-term target of the Gunners and on Monday evening they finally got their man after he agreed personal terms and successfully came through a medical at the North London side.
The deal, which is subject to Premier League and FA approval, is thought to have cost Arsene Wenger's side £12m up front with £3m in add-ons.
England Under-21 international Oxlade-Chamberlain scored 10 goals in 34 games to help the Saints clinch promotion to the Championship last term.
Arsene Wenger hailed the youngster as a player of rich potential.
"We are delighted that Alex has decided to join us," Wenger told the club's official website.
"He is an exciting young player who will provide us with creativity and offensive quality.
"Alex is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions.
"He can play as an attacking centre midfielder, or wide left and right.
"Alex is a perceptive passer of the ball and has a great understanding of the game and looks to be a very good team player."
Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to compete at a higher level than League One but his signing will still be viewed as a coup for Arsenal, despite the size of the transfer fee.
Manchester United and Liverpool also expressed interest in the Southampton academy product, but the Gunners edged their rivals on this occasion.
"Alex agreed personal terms and passed a medical this afternoon," read a statement on Southampton's official website.
"It is one of the biggest deals in Championship history, which sees Saints' previous transfer records blown out of the water.
"The deal for the midfielder, who had made it clear he saw his future away from Southampton, was done with Saints in the driving seat for the duration of the protracted negotiations and the transfer was completed on our terms."
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