Former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou has accepted a pay-cut to take a move to Hamburg.

The 26-year-old defender, who has been at Arsenal since 2004, hopes playing for the Bundesliga club will give his career a much needed boost.

He said: "In London I could have earned considerably more money, but that wasn't the decisive factor. Everything was just right for me at Hamburg. Above all, the sporting aspect convinced me.

"I want to play as much as possible and to improve, and this is why I can see the ideal conditions for myself in Hamburg."