Cologne confirm Lukas Podolski's switch to Arsenal

German club FC Cologne have confirmed that Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal in the summer.

The 26-year-old had been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium over the last few months.

Now, following a number of discussions, it has been revealed that the striker has agreed terms over an undisclosed switch to the Gunners at the end of the current campaign.

Despite insisting that it was a hard to decision to make, Podolski has admitted that the lure of European football was too much of a temptation to turn down.

"The move to Arsenal provides a great opportunity for me to gain experience in international competitions at a European top club," Podolski told Cologne's official website. "I have made this decision not against FC Cologne but for this great opportunity and the good of my own individual development.

"This was not an easy decision for me at all, as FC Cologne, our fans and the city are something special for me.

"I will always carry FC Cologne in my heart. We need to pool our strengths now and have to be fully focussed on our survival in the Bundesliga."

Podolski had 12 months remaining on his contract with Cologne.