Andrey Arshavin’s transfer from Zenit St Petersburg to Arsenal has been ratified despite being completed almost a day after the closure of the January transfer window.

 

The deal is said to be for around £15M and reportedly saw the 27 year-old Russian commit to the Emirates on a three and a half year contract. The paperwork in relation to the deal was lodged prior to the deadline and Premier League rules allow for such deals to be ratified at the league’s discretion. None of the other Premier League clubs offered any disagreement to the deal and Arshavin was cleared to potentially make his North London bow at White Hart Lane against rivals Spurs.

To add to Arsenal’s positive news, Russian boss Guus Hiddink has confirmed that Arshavin will be excused from attending next weeks national team training camp to allow him to settle into his new surroundings.