Petr Cech has been unveiled by Arsenal after Arsene Wenger finally made his long-term target their first summer signing for £10million from Chelsea.
The Czech Republic goalkeeper passed his medical at Arsenal on Friday morning after Sportsmail revealed he had agreed to sign for Chelsea's rivals on Wednesday.
Cech moves to north London on a four-year contract, understood to be worth about £100,000 per week, and could make his debut against his former club on August 2 in the Community Shield.
Arsenal boss Wenger told the club's official website that he was 'very pleased' to have signed 'one of the outstanding keepers in the world.'
'Petr Cech is a player that I have admired for a long time and I am very pleased that he has decided to join us,' said Wenger. 'He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world and he will add great strength to our squad.'
Cech explained that it was Wenger's ambition, and the promise of first-team football, that attracted him.
'When Arsene Wenger spoke to me about his ambitions for this club, and how he saw me as part of this team, the decision was clear.'
The former Chelsea goalkeeper also posted a message for his previous club's fans, saying he 'thought this would never happen'.
He asked the club's fans to 'remember our history' when he comes up against them as an Arsenal player.
PETR CECH'S FAREWELL LETTER TO CHELSEA FANS
I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea Football Club. The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club in which I thought I'd hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career. But life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will.
Since 2004 it has been an incredible journey with so many highs and not many lows. We have managed to win every single English trophy as well as the Europa League and the biggest of all - Champions League.
Looking back at all the achievements, including our first ever league double in 2010, back to back titles in 2005 and 2006, and multiple EPL and FA cup wins, I couldn't be more proud!! As a team we made history together!!
Last summer, things changed and I understood I was no longer the 1st choice keeper but I felt it was not the right time for me to go.
During the season it became clear that my situation would not improve and as I know I am not at the stage of my career where I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges.
The limited playing time gave me the chance to refresh and rest mentally as well as make me realise just how much I enjoy playing football at the highest level, because I missed it badly and every game day I was not involved.
I have the same commitment to football, the same motivation, and the same hunger for success as I had at the beginning of my career, and I love the challenges brought by the top quality players you face while playing the Premier League - simply the best and the most challenging league in the world.
That's why I spoke to Mr Abramovich about me staying in the Premier League and I'd like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for his support in this matter. It means so much to me because without him Chelsea Football Club would not be where it is now. He deserves huge credit for what he has done for the club and for all of us.
I would like to personally thank everybody involved with Chelsea Football Club for their support - all the players, staff, managers and all the coaching staff I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. Without them it would have been impossible for us to have achieved such success.
But most important of all - a huge thank you goes to all the Chelsea fans. I did everything for you and you gave me your love back. I'll never forget it. It will stay with me forever.
We will meet again but this time I will be in the other goal - I hope you will remember our history and understand it is time for me to begin a new adventure.
I wish everybody at Chelsea Football Club all the best for the new season and for the future. Thank you for an incredible 11 years.
Wenger began chasing the 33-year-old goalkeeper in 2013, but was quickly told he was not for sale.
Arsenal believed at the time that Thibaut Courtois was returning to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, meaning Cech could play second fiddle to the man a decade younger than him that season.
Arsenal continued their interest last summer, but again Chelsea refused to sell.
Yet owner Roman Abramovich allowed Cech to leave to gain first-team football elsewhere after the veteran became second choice to Courtois at Stamford Bridge.
Cech attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain but wanted to stay in London where his family are settled, and Arsenal have finally landed their man despite Jose Mourinho's reluctance throughout.
Chelsea captain John Terry admitted a week ago he feels Cech's transfer to Arsenal could gain them '12 to 15 points a season', and Mourinho also fears it will strengthen his rivals next season.
The Portuguese conceded defeat after Abramovich gave Cech the green light to end his 11-year career in west London.
Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon could now follow Cech across the capital after the pair formed a bond at Stamford Bridge.
All this means David Ospina, who thwarted Argentina duo Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero with a string of superb saves at the Copa America on Saturday, is set to leave Arsenal.
Arsenal would prefer to sell the Colombia goalkeeper rather than Wojciech Szczesny as the latter qualifies as a homegrown player.
Chelsea are interested in Stoke City's Asmir Begovic and Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Robert Green as replacements for Cech.
Cech moves to north London on a four-year contract, understood to be worth about £100,000 per week, and could make his debut against his former club on August 2 in the Community Shield.
Arsenal boss Wenger told the club's official website that he was 'very pleased' to have signed 'one of the outstanding keepers in the world.'
'Petr Cech is a player that I have admired for a long time and I am very pleased that he has decided to join us,' said Wenger. 'He has proven over many seasons that he is one of the outstanding keepers in the world and he will add great strength to our squad.'
Cech explained that it was Wenger's ambition, and the promise of first-team football, that attracted him.
'When Arsene Wenger spoke to me about his ambitions for this club, and how he saw me as part of this team, the decision was clear.'
The former Chelsea goalkeeper also posted a message for his previous club's fans, saying he 'thought this would never happen'.
He asked the club's fans to 'remember our history' when he comes up against them as an Arsenal player.
PETR CECH'S FAREWELL LETTER TO CHELSEA FANS
I thought this would never happen but it is time for me to say goodbye to Chelsea Football Club. The club I have lived every single minute for since joining in July 2004, the club in which I thought I'd hang my gloves and boots one day and finish my career. But life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will.
Since 2004 it has been an incredible journey with so many highs and not many lows. We have managed to win every single English trophy as well as the Europa League and the biggest of all - Champions League.
Looking back at all the achievements, including our first ever league double in 2010, back to back titles in 2005 and 2006, and multiple EPL and FA cup wins, I couldn't be more proud!! As a team we made history together!!
Last summer, things changed and I understood I was no longer the 1st choice keeper but I felt it was not the right time for me to go.
During the season it became clear that my situation would not improve and as I know I am not at the stage of my career where I want to be on the bench, I made my decision to move on and look for new challenges.
The limited playing time gave me the chance to refresh and rest mentally as well as make me realise just how much I enjoy playing football at the highest level, because I missed it badly and every game day I was not involved.
I have the same commitment to football, the same motivation, and the same hunger for success as I had at the beginning of my career, and I love the challenges brought by the top quality players you face while playing the Premier League - simply the best and the most challenging league in the world.
That's why I spoke to Mr Abramovich about me staying in the Premier League and I'd like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for his support in this matter. It means so much to me because without him Chelsea Football Club would not be where it is now. He deserves huge credit for what he has done for the club and for all of us.
I would like to personally thank everybody involved with Chelsea Football Club for their support - all the players, staff, managers and all the coaching staff I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. Without them it would have been impossible for us to have achieved such success.
But most important of all - a huge thank you goes to all the Chelsea fans. I did everything for you and you gave me your love back. I'll never forget it. It will stay with me forever.
We will meet again but this time I will be in the other goal - I hope you will remember our history and understand it is time for me to begin a new adventure.
I wish everybody at Chelsea Football Club all the best for the new season and for the future. Thank you for an incredible 11 years.
Wenger began chasing the 33-year-old goalkeeper in 2013, but was quickly told he was not for sale.
Arsenal believed at the time that Thibaut Courtois was returning to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid, meaning Cech could play second fiddle to the man a decade younger than him that season.
Arsenal continued their interest last summer, but again Chelsea refused to sell.
Yet owner Roman Abramovich allowed Cech to leave to gain first-team football elsewhere after the veteran became second choice to Courtois at Stamford Bridge.
Cech attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain but wanted to stay in London where his family are settled, and Arsenal have finally landed their man despite Jose Mourinho's reluctance throughout.
Chelsea captain John Terry admitted a week ago he feels Cech's transfer to Arsenal could gain them '12 to 15 points a season', and Mourinho also fears it will strengthen his rivals next season.
The Portuguese conceded defeat after Abramovich gave Cech the green light to end his 11-year career in west London.
Chelsea goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon could now follow Cech across the capital after the pair formed a bond at Stamford Bridge.
All this means David Ospina, who thwarted Argentina duo Lionel Messi and Sergio Aguero with a string of superb saves at the Copa America on Saturday, is set to leave Arsenal.
Arsenal would prefer to sell the Colombia goalkeeper rather than Wojciech Szczesny as the latter qualifies as a homegrown player.
Chelsea are interested in Stoke City's Asmir Begovic and Queens Park Rangers goalkeeper Robert Green as replacements for Cech.
