Arsenal sign defender Mosquera from Valencia

After signing Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia for an initial fee in the region of 15 million euros (£13 million), Arsenal claim to have secured “one of the strongest young defenders in European football.”

The 21-year-old is a member of the Gunners’ five-year contract with a 12-month option.

Mosquera will fill Takehiro Tomiyasu’s contract extension, which he and Mosquera agreed to terminate earlier this month, by securing a starting position at both right- and centre-back.

“I couldn’t let it pass me by,” she said. I’m a member of a long-standing, powerful club. You really sense the magnificence of the place when you and your family visit,” Mosquera told the club website.

“It took me a while to mature, and my career has progressed faster than I anticipated.” There is a chance to continue learning and developing here.

The Spain Under-21 international made his first-team debut in 2022 when he became the youngest centre-back to ever play for the club after joining Valencia in 2016 as a 12-year-old.

Mosquera played the entire game in 37 of Valencia’s 38 La Liga games as they finished 12th overall, and he made 90 appearances for the club last year.

Mosquera was praised for his “exciting talent and enormous potential,” according to manager Mikel Arteta, while sporting director Andrea Berta praised the defender’s long-term prospects.

Since Valencia had already granted him permission to travel before the deal was finalized, Mosquera will now travel with the Arsenal squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.

On Wednesday, Arsenal defeated AC Milan 1-0 in Singapore’s National Stadium, and they will face Newcastle United at the same venue on Sunday.

Mosquera and Arsenal have acquired a player they think is young and talented enough to give their backfield more options.

He has spent two seasons playing senior football, and in 2024-25, he recorded the second-most minutes of any outfield player in La Liga. He has also played the second-most minutes of any player in the Valencia squad.

Arsenal manager Arteta is hoping to avoid the injuries that plagued him last season, which is important.

Mosquera’s versatility makes him a valuable addition to an effective Arsenal squad, along with his availability.