Ivan Leko has confirmed Christos Tzolis is joining Arsenal, describing the transfer as a deserved reward for the Club Brugge winger.
Club Brugge manager Ivan Leko has confirmed that Christos Tzolis is set to join Arsenal after speaking openly about losing the Greece international.
At the time of Leko’s interview with DAZN Belgium, neither Arsenal nor Club Brugge had formally announced the transfer. Still, the Croatian spoke about Tzolis’s move to north London as if it was already settled.
Arsenal have agreed a fee believed to be in the region of £34 million with Club Brugge for Tzolis, which is set to break the Belgian Pro League record for an outgoing transfer.
Leko’s comments are the clearest sign yet from Club Brugge that the 24-year-old is heading to Arsenal.
“This is one fantastic example. Somebody who was first coming on the training base, last staying there,” Leko said.
“Every training was like a game for him, giving so much for his career and then you get an award to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
“Big thing for him, big thing for Club Brugge, big thing for Belgian football.”
Tzolis is expected to bolster the left side of Mikel Arteta’s attack after Leandro Trossard’s move to Besiktas.
The Greece international usually starts on the left and cuts inside onto his stronger right foot, giving Arsenal another option who can both score and create from wide areas.
He joins Arsenal after two standout seasons with Club Brugge, having rebuilt his career following a difficult spell in the Premier League with Norwich City.
His performances in Belgium convinced Arsenal to bring him back to England. For Leko, though, the move is just as much a reward for Tzolis’s work behind the scenes as it is for his form on the pitch.
Leko described a player who arrived early, stayed late, and treated every training session with the intensity of a matchday.
That attitude helped Tzolis become one of the top attacking players in Belgium. Now, he faces a new test at a club competing for both the Premier League and Champions League.
Leko admitted the transfer brings mixed emotions, as Club Brugge lose one of their key players after another prolific season.
“On one side I’m very happy for him, I’m very sad for me on one side because we are losing a top player,” he said.
“I’m convinced that he will have his minutes, that he will show also on highest level in Premier League and Champions League in Arsenal that is top player.”
Leko’s words also hint at the expectations that will greet Tzolis at Arsenal.
Tzolis will face tougher competition for places and a step up in intensity, but Leko does not see him as someone coming in just to make up the numbers.
Leko expects Tzolis to earn his chances and show the quality that made him so influential at Club Brugge.
Arsenal’s official announcement will confirm the final details of the deal, including the length of Tzolis’s contract.