Arsenal have officially announced the signing of Russia playmaker Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St Petersburg. "Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that Russian international midfielder, Andrei Arshavin has joined the Gunners from Zenit St Petersburg on a long-term contract for an undisclosed fee," read a statement on the Arsenal website.

Though the fee is officially undisclosed, Zenit have claimed the Gunners have paid £16.5 million for the player, significantly more than the earlier £12m fee reported.

A statement on the Russian club's website said: "Zenit, Arsenal and Andrei Arshavin have concluded talks in London.

"The St Petersburg club will receive £16.5m - £15m for the transfer of the player and £1.5m compensation for breaking a long-term contract.

"In addition there is a further 500,000 euros in bonuses which Arshavin has not yet received which will not be paid and instead make up part of the transfer sum.

"The overall sum of the transfer is around £16.9m."