Arsenal have announced the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian attacker Marquinhos from Sao Paulo for a £3m fee.
The teenager becomes the Gunners' first signing of the summer window on what has been described as a "long-term" contract at the Emirates Stadium, believed to be four years with an option to extend until 2027.
Arsenal's move for Marquinhos was thought to have been in doubt at one stage, with the youngster allegedly agreeing a pre-contract agreement with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
However, the Gunners managed to get a deal over the line, and Marquinhos is expected to either work with the club's youth teams or continue his development on loan in the 2022-23 season.
Marquinhos will be given the chance to prove himself under Mikel Arteta in pre-season, though, and technical director Edu has earmarked the South American as one to watch in years to come.
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"We're delighted to have completed the transfer with Sao Paulo, as Marquinhos was a player we had been watching for a while," Edu told arsenal.com.
"At 19, he is still very young, so he is a player for the future. We look forward to Marquinhos now joining us for pre-season, making his new home, and continuing to grow and develop with us."
Marquinhos was promoted to the Sao Paulo first team last year after coming through the youth ranks and made a total of 41 senior appearances for the Brazilian side in all tournaments.
The teenager scored four goals and set up three more for Sao Paulo in that time and made 21 appearances in the 2021 Serie A season, as well as gaining experience in the Copa Libertadores.
Marquinhos has been capped at Under-16 and Under-17 level for Brazil, but he has not pulled on a Selecao shirt at any level since his final appearance for the latter side in March 2019.
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Arsenal added that Marquinhos will travel to North London "in the coming weeks" to link up with his new teammates, and the winger's arrival signals what is expected to be the start of a busy summer window for the Gunners.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner will soon arrive from the New England Revolution after a deal for the USA international was agreed in January, paving the way for Bernd Leno to leave amid interest from Fulham.
William Saliba has also confirmed that he will be returning to the club from Marseille, in spite of the Olympiens' efforts to keep the 21-year-old on a permanent deal.
Leicester City's Youri Tielemans and Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus remain key targets for Arsenal, who have seen Alexandre Lacazette complete a return to Lyon on a free transfer.
Eddie Nketiah is also due to become a free agent at the end of the month, but talks over a new deal with the 23-year-old are ongoing.
Ben Knapton
