Arsenal have signed defender, Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £55m.
Konsa’s move has marked the end of a seven-year stint at Villa where he delivered 12 goals and four assists in 286 appearances across all competitions, and was part of their UEFA Europa League title-winning squad last season.
His consistency even saw him break through into England’s first-team squad at 26 years and 152 days old in March 2024, and he has gone on to score twice in 28 senior caps for the Three Lions, with his two international goals having came in the past year against Serbia and France respectively.
His goal against France came in the 2026 FIFA World Cup third-placed Play-Off which England ultimately won 6-4 to achieve their best finish since winning in 1966, with Konsa’s new club teammate – Bukayo Saka having scored a hat-trick in that match.
Arsenal consequently decided to swoop for the now 28-year-old – who can play at either right-back or centre-back- with a £55m offer consisting of; £51m fixed fee and £4m in add-ons, which brings much needed versatility amidst injury issues for Jurrien Timber and William Saliba.
Konsa has signed a four-year contract until June 2030 at the Emirates Stadium with an option to extend for a further year, and the 28-year-old will wear the number 15 shirt.
“I’m super excited. It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started,” commented Konsa on his move.
“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.”
Konsa added that he respects the unity of Arsenal’s defence from the occasions he faced them over the years with Villa.
“The chemistry they have, they all want to defend for each other, the love they have for defending, they love keeping the ball out of the net which is what you have to do as a defender.
“But I just love the way they are together. What they’ve built over the past few years has been special.”
Konsa also feels that versatility is helpful as he teased fans as to what he will bring to the team.
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play. So hopefully I can add a little bit more.
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.”
Konsa began his career with Senrab then Charlton Athletic at youth level and went on to break into the Addicks’ first team with 86 appearances between 2015-18, which led him to join Brentford for the 2018-19 campaign where he scored one goal in 47 appearances.
His performances at Brentford however persuaded Villa to sign him a year later and he proceeded to help them consolidate their Premier League status upon a top-flight return in 2019-20 season, as he quickly became a regular member of the team with 148 appearances in the last three seasons alone.
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