Arshavin finally joins Arsenal

Tuesday, February 3, 5.30pm: And lo, it came to pass that a full 24-hours after the transfer window officially closed Andrei Arshavin finally, definitely and completely moved to Arsenal.

The deal was rubber stamped by the Premier League on Tuesday afternoon and shortly afterwards a statement went up on the Arsenal website saying that the Gunners were "delighted to announce" the arrival of the player "on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee".

It was accompanied by pictures of the player sporting an Arsenal top with 23 on the back and the faintest of moustaches on his top lip.

If Arsenal weren't prepared to reveal the details of the deal, then Zenit St Petersburg, the club Arshavin has been trying to leave since June, had no such qualms. The Russians spelt out the agreement on their website, stating: "The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5m - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.

"In addition there is a further €500,000 in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum. The overall sum of the transfer is around $24m."

Despite their use of three different currencies in the breakdown it all works out at almost £17m - a club record for Arsenal. And brings to an end one of the most protracted transfer sagas ever.

Now we can all look forward to Ronaldo's move from Manchester United to Real Madrid in the summer.

TRANSFER TALK: ANDREI ARSHAVIN

FIRST POSTED FEBRUARY 3, 2009