Arsenal have finalized the signing of 21‑year‑old Spanish defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia. The Premier League club agreed a long-term contract after meeting Valencia’s valuation of approximately £13 million plus add-ons, reuniting Mosquera’s ambition with Arsenal’s defensive reinforcements
The deal includes a five-year contract, with personal terms already agreed in principle. Mosquera is expected to fly to the UK within 24–48 hours to complete medical tests and officially join Arsenal’s preseason tour in Asia
The 21-year-old, Arsenal’s fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line.
A standout performer in La Liga, Mosquera made 90 senior appearances for Valencia, featuring in 37 of 38 league matches last season as they secured a 12th-place finish.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised his signing:
“We’re delighted to welcome Cristhian to Arsenal. As a 21‑year‑old defender, Cristhian has already performed consistently well with significant experience in La Liga. He is an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides.”
Manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as “an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides”.
Mosquera’s reported £13 m fee may rise closer to £17–18 million once performance-related add-ons and structured payments are factored in Valencia initially rebuffed Arsenal’s opening offer of less than €20 million, with the Spanish club setting a higher valuation.
Mosquera, who had rejected a new contract offer from Valencia, ultimately forced the move after insisting he would not renew his deal, confirming his intent to start a “new era” in north London
“It means a lot to me,” he told the club website. “There’s been a lot of hard work behind all of this.
“It’s an opportunity that came up and I couldn’t let it pass me by. I’m joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.”
He told Spanish radio:
“This is my home and it always will be. I arrived here at 12 years old, and now I am leaving as a grown man… I’m a bit sad.”
Mosquera joins a growing list of summer signings at Arsenal—including Kepa Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Nørgaard, and Noni Madueke. The club also completed a massive deal for striker Viktor Gyökeres from Sporting Lisbon, bringing Arsenal’s total summer spending close to—and possibly beyond—£200 million
Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed.
The Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in a row, launch their 2025/26 campaign at Manchester United on August 17.