Arsenal sign Chamakh

Arsenal completed the signing of long-term target Marouane Chamakh on Friday as Arsene Wenger began what could be a busy summer of transfer activity for the club.

The 26-year-old joins on a free transfer at the end of his contract with Bordeaux, and manager Wenger backed him to be "a great addition" to the Arsenal squad.

Chamakh has made no secret of his ambition to move to the Barclays Premier League and said: "This is a dream come true and a great joy to be joining Arsenal. My goal was always to play in the Premier League and Arsenal was the choice of my heart."

Chamakh played a key role in Bordeaux winning the French league title in 2009 and leaves the club after 293 appearances, during which he has scored 79 times.

He first appeared for Bordeaux as a teenager and has gradually built a reputation as one of the finest strikers in Ligue 1, helping his club reach this season's Champions League quarter-finals where they lost to French rivals Lyon.

Wenger has been looking to strengthen his options in attack, and said on arsenal.com: "We are delighted that Marouane Chamakh has joined us.

"He is a player we have admired for some time now and I know he will provide our squad with great quality.

"Chamakh has proved he is a great player with his performances for Bordeaux and Morocco in recent seasons and we're all looking forward to him joining us.

"Chamakh is a striker of real quality and has all the attributes suited to come to England and do very well.

"He is also a fighter, not only a good football player, but a fighter as well. He is very good in the air and also a good team player. He is a great addition to our squad."