On Sunday, Arsenal officially announced Andrea Berta as the new sporting director.
The 53-year-old Italian takes over the position from former Gunners midfielder Edu. He played for Atletico Madrid for 12 years before leaving in January.
Following his departure from Arsenal in November, Edu joined the portfolio of clubs owned by Greek businessman Evangelos Marinakis, which includes Rio Ave, Olympiakos, and Nottingham Forest.
After working for Italian teams Parma and Genoa, Berta, who has a background in banking, joined Spanish powerhouse Atletico in 2013 as technical director.
During his tenure, Atletico won the UEFA Super Cup, the Copa del Rey, the Europa League, and two La Liga titles.
Berta stated, “I am delighted to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club.
“The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.
“I have been very interested in Arsenal’s recent evolution and have admired the hard work that has been put into re-establishing the team as a major force in European football with a fervent global following.”
Given that Arsenal is expected to finish second in the Premier League for the third straight season, Berta will have a busy summer.
Many believe that to win the league for the first time in more than two decades, Mikel Arteta’s team needs a prolific striker.
However, Berta must also negotiate important contract renewals with some of Arsenal’s most important players, including Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, and Bukayo Saka, all of whom have just over two years remaining on their existing agreements.
“Andrea will be a great addition to our club,” said Josh Kroenke, co-chairman of Arsenal.
“He is aware of our principles and ideals, and we are confident that he will support us as we continue to strive for great victories.”
