David Luiz: 'I needed new challenge at Arsenal'

David Luiz has claimed that his decision to join Arsenal from Chelsea was based upon a desire to seek a new challenge after coming to an end of a cycle at Stamford Bridge.

The defender, despite recently signing a new deal with the Blues, informed the club of his desire to leave on Wednesday and negotiations over a transfer quickly commenced.

It was announced on Thursday evening that Luiz had penned a two-year contract at the Emirates, joining the club for a fee of £8m.

Speaking to The Mirror soon after completing the move, Luiz said: "I'm excited to play for this big club. I grew up watching a lot of Arsenal games, especially the great players from the past, so I'm excited to try to help this club to do some big things.

"The cycle finished [at Chelsea]. It was a conversation between me and Chelsea and everybody. I had an opportunity to come to another big club. In my life, I've always liked to do some challenges. I'm not scared at all to try things.

"I think not too many players would make this kind of move, they would maybe be scared, or something like that. I'm just trying to do big things in my life, so like I said, my cycle at Chelsea finished and now I'm excited to start a new chapter of my life here."

Luiz spent two spells at Chelsea, firstly between 2010 and 2014 and then from 2016 onwards, winning the Premier League title and Champions League during his time at the club.

Arsenal also completed a deadline-day move for Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney for a fee of £25m.