Croatian international Eduardo da Silva has spoken of
his excitement at agreeing a move to three-time Premier League winners
Arsenal.
The Brazilian-born striker will move to Emirates Stadium upon the successful completion of a medical, in a deal that could reportedly break the Croatian transfer record.
The Dinamo Zagreb star has clearly outgrown his current
environment having been his league's top scorer in the past two seasons
and, despite recently signing a new ten-year deal in the Croatian
capital, is now looking forward with great anticipation to the start of
his career in England.
"I am excited and happy in the same time, also very proud that I am going to play in such a big club," da Silva told Uefa.com.
"Every football player wants to play for Barcelona, Real [Madrid], Manchester United or Arsenal one day and so do I.
"I want to progress in my career, but it will be hard to leave Dinamo Zagreb after eight years.
"I will miss the club, the guys...I will be back one day, but now I want to accept a new challenge."
Eduardo has proved himself on the international scene with seven
goals in 12 appearances for Croatia, but his task in North London will
be an even more daunting one - filling the boots of departed captain
Thierry Henry.
The French superstar joined the Catalans for £16million in
June, and Dinamo president Mirko Barisic claims the entirety of that
transfer fee has now been used to prise da Silva from Croatia.
"I think the transfer is worth €24million (£16.25million) from
the money Arsenal got after selling Henry to Barcelona," said Barisic.
However, sources have told Sky Sports News that the fee for da Silva is closer to £8million.