Midfielder Lucas Torreira has joined Turkish Super Lig side Galatasaray in a permanent transfer. The Uruguayan international made 89 appearances for us after joining from Sampdoria in July 2018. He was part of our FA Cup final match-winning squad in 2020 and the Uruguayan was a quick hit at the Emirates – once scoring in a north London derby victory over Tottenham – but soon fell out of Mikel Arteta’s starting XI and spent time away at Atletico Madrid and Fiorentina on loan.

Torreira spent the last two seasons away on loan in Spain and Italy. In 2020/21 he was with Atletico Madrid, where he made 19 league appearances in the team’s La Liga winning campaign. The 26-year-old midfielder spent last season with Fiorentina, where he made 35 appearances in all competitions during his time with the Serie A side. His exit has now been finalised and he will join a Galatasaray outfit who have also recruited former Napoli forward Dries Mertens.

Everyone at Arsenal thanks Lucas for his contribution during his time with us and wish Lucas and his family the best of health and happiness in their new chapter with Galatasaray. Galatasaray themselves have revealed Torreira has signed a four-year contract with the club, with Arsenal receiving €6m as a transfer fee.