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Arsenal have announced the signing of goalkeeper David Ospina from Nice on a long-term contract. The 25-year-old, who impressed as Colombia reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Brazil, has moved for an undisclosed fee.Arsenal’s manager, Arsène Wenger, told the club’s website: “David Ospina is an excellent goalkeeper with good experience and a proven record of performing with Nice and Colombia. He will add strength to our squad and we are very pleased that he will be joining us.”

The goalkeeper is expected to make his first appearance for Arsenal during the Emirates Cup friendly tournament, which takes place in north London next weekend.

Ospina made 189 Ligue 1 appearances during six years with Nice, having joined them from the Colombian club Atlético Nacional in 2008. He made his senior debut for Atlético at 17 and has been a full Colombia international since 2007, making his first start for Los Cafeteros in a 2010 World Cup qualification match against Bolivia.

At Arsenal he will provide competition for the first-choice keeper Wojciech Szczesny while helping to fill the gap left by Lukasz Fabianski, who has joined Swansea.

Speaking to Sky Sports News after a friendly defeat by Brentford, the Nice coach Claude Puel said: “It’s confirmed, yes. It’s a good affair for Arsenal because he’s a very good player. You will see next season the quality of this player.

“It’s fantastic for him. It’s important for him to try another league, another club, and Arsenal is a fantastic club for him. David Ospina can take the goalkeeping position at Arsenal because his qualities are very strong and … ‘magnifique’.

“You saw in the World Cup how important a goalkeeper he is. For me, David can impose his quality, he’s a goalkeeper who is very good with the feet, with his arms, he knows football and he’s a very, very good player.”

Arsenal have also confirmed the signing of 19-year-old Southampton right-back Calum Chambers  in a deal that could end up costing £16m.

Chambers has been assured he will be granted significant opportunities in the Arsenal first team in the new season
The England under-19 international  will initially provide cover for another signing, the £10m Mathieu Debuchy, at right-back and will also be utilised at centre-half. Arsène Wenger is convinced the 19-year-old will eventually graduate more permanently into a central midfield berth at the Emirates. While Chambers would expect to feature for Arsenal in domestic cup competitions, he has been told he will play at least 20 senior matches this season, with Arsenal also set to compete in the Champions League.

The defender boasts only 23 first-team appearances, all but one accrued last season at St Mary’s when he started 18 Premier League games. “We are very pleased that Calum has agreed to join us,” said Wenger after adding his fourth recruit of the summer. “The way he adapted to the Premier League last season with Southampton at a young age shows that he has tremendous quality  and I am sure that he will do well with us.” — The Guardian