Arsenal Complete €40 Million Signing Of Christos Tzolis
Sports Updated: 23 July 2026 17:06 EAT
Photo courtesy: Arsenal's summer signing Christos Tzolis
Arsenal have completed the signing of Greece international Christos Tzolis from Belgian champions Club Brugge on a five-year contract in a deal worth a reported €40 million (£34 million). The Premier League champions confirmed the transfer on Thursday after the 24-year-old successfully completed his medical and agreed personal terms.
The move represents one of Arsenal's biggest investments of the summer transfer window and is understood to be the largest transfer fee ever received by a Belgian Pro League club. Tzolis joins Mikel Arteta's squad as the club continues strengthening its attacking options ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Tzolis leaves Club Brugge after two highly successful seasons in Belgium, where he established himself as one of Europe's most productive attacking players. During his time at the club, he made 108 appearances in all competitions, scoring 43 goals and registering 45 assists.
His impressive performances helped Club Brugge lift the Belgian Cup in 2025 before reclaiming the Belgian Pro League title in the 2025/26 campaign. He was subsequently named the Belgian Pro League Player of the Season after playing a key role in the club's domestic success.
Arsenal had been monitoring the winger for several months, with the club identifying him as a priority target following changes to its attacking lineup. His ability to play on either wing, create chances and contribute goals made him an attractive option for Arteta.
Born in Thessaloniki, Greece, Tzolis began his professional career with PAOK before securing a move to Norwich City in the Premier League in 2021. Although he struggled to establish himself in England, loan spells with FC Twente in the Netherlands and Fortuna Düsseldorf in Germany helped revive his career.
His outstanding form in Germany earned him a permanent return to top-level football before Club Brugge signed him in 2024. In Belgium, he quickly became one of the league's standout performers, attracting interest from several leading European clubs.
At international level, Tzolis made his senior debut for Greece in October 2020 and has since become a regular member of the national team. His consistent performances for both club and country strengthened Arsenal's belief that he could make an immediate impact in the Premier League.
Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta described the winger as a versatile forward with outstanding technical quality, creativity and finishing ability, adding that his mentality and work ethic fit the club's long-term vision under Arteta.
Tzolis expressed his delight after completing the move, describing the opportunity to join Arsenal as one of the biggest moments of his career. He is expected to join the club's pre-season preparations immediately as Arsenal continue building their squad for the defence of the Premier League title and another UEFA Champions League campaign.
Christos Tzolis on Joining Arsenal: “I need some time to realise, I think! It's absolutely amazing to sign for such a big club, the champions of England. I'm very proud to be part of this team for the next season.
“When my agent was saying maybe it was a possibility, I was already excited. Afterwards it was getting more serious and now I'm here.”
“I had a nice conversation [with Mikel Arteta]. It was around an hour. We talked about everything, about the club, about myself, about his plans, about me of course, about the team. It was only positive things.”
“I'm a direct player, I go for goals or assists,” he said. “That's my point of view as an attacker, as a winger. I'm always hungry to score or to give the final pass to my teammates. And I can say I work hard for the team, also in the defensive part.”
Tzolis on premier league experience: “I can say more or less that I know the level of the Premier League, I know it's the best league in the world. Of course it's different if you play for Norwich or Arsenal, I think you have the ball more as a player of Arsenal. So we attack more the other teams. It's very physical, the league and the quality is very high, so I'm prepared for that. Also in the Champions League it's quite high, so I believe every game is like a Champions League game here in Premier League.”
Tzolis: “I love to watch football, I know everything about the Premier League, I know everything about Arsenal,” he said. “I watched so many games this year and especially we played against each other, like you said. It was 0-3 in our stadium. I can say it was the most difficult team to attack against that I’ve played so far.
"We played against other big teams, but against Arsenal, we had the most difficulties to make clear chances. We had some chances, but not very clear. They were very efficient also and scored three amazing goals against us, it was a fair result in the end.”
Tzolis on Emirates Stadium: “It's actually incredible that I made my Premier League debut at the Emirates! I was saying this the other day to my family, it was a great memory. I was in love with the stadium. I was always saying it was one of the best stadiums I've played in. In the end we lost 1-0, but I really liked my first game so I'll always remember that I played here at Emirates. I'm looking forward to playing again more.
“My targets are to win titles, of course. I think for everybody the target is there, as many as possible. And to have as much as possible game time with the team, then the rest will come, I'm sure about that. So for me the most important is to settle well in the team, have a good feeling, play as much as possible and then we'll be very good, I believe.
“I'm very proud to be part of this amazing team. I'm looking forward to meeting everybody on the pitch, at the stadium, and to score my first goal at the Emirates.”
[Arsenal]
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