Arsenal confirm Andrea Berta as new sporting director to succeed Edu | OneFootball

Former Atletico Madrid stalwart to lead Gunners’ recruitment in ‘hugely exciting period for the club’

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Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director.

The Italian arrives in north London as the permanent replacement for Edu, who resigned his post in November to take up a new challenge overseeing the growing portfolio of clubs under Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis.

They were linked with a whole host of external names as well as Ayto, including the likes of Dan Ashworth, Roberto Olabe, Thiago Scuro and Tomas Rosicky before Berta emerged as the leading contender for the job earlier in March.

The 53-year-old agreed to move to the Emirates Stadium having reportedly rejected the chance to join AC Milan, who are now said to have held talks with former Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici.

Berta said: “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.

“I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone in to reestablishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.

“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.

Berta’s appointment at Arsenal has now been officially announced and he will start work immediately, with reports that he could be in attendance when Mikel Arteta’s side return to Premier League action following the recent international break with a home clash against London rivals Fulham on Tuesday night (April 1).

Berta has said he is ‘thrilled’ to be joining Arsenal ‘in what is a hugely exciting period for the club’

AFP via Getty Images

Former banker Berta previously spent 12 years at Atletico Madrid after initially becoming part of the club’s international scouting department in 2013, later being promoted to sporting director in 2017 before seeing his contract mutually terminated at the end of December.

He was an important figure in Atleti’s impressive rise under Diego Simeone, winning Sporting Director of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in 2019 and credited with signing many of the players who were so fundamental to their success under the Argentine.

Before arriving in Madrid, Berta - previously linked with the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Chelsea and Newcastle - spent time as sporting director at Italian clubs Parma and Genoa, having started his football career with lower-league side FC Carpenedolo.

Arsenal co-chair Josh Kroenke said: “Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure. He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.

“Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.

“We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out.

“We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”