Arsenal sign Juventus and Switzerland full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner

Arsenal have announced the signing of the Switzerland defender Stephan Lichtsteiner on a free transfer from Juventus.

The 34-year-old attacking full-back, who becomes Unai Emery’s first signing at the club, won the domestic title in each of his seven seasons at Juve and made 27 Serie A appearances in the campaign that has just finished despite the arrival of Mattia De Sciglio from Milan.

He is closing in on a century of caps for Switzerland, appearing at two European Championships and two World Cups.

Emery said: “Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad. He’s a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch.”

Lichtsteiner told his new club’s official website: “It is a great moment for me, after Juventus, to come to Arsenal. It is a project to come back into the Champions League, it is hard to see a club like Arsenal that is not playing in the Champions League if you see the players, the club, the stadium. The big objective is to come back on the highest level.”

Fredericks agrees four-year deal with West Ham

West Ham have agreed a deal to sign right-back Ryan Fredericks from Premier League new boys Fulham.

The 25-year-old will pen a four-year contract to become new manager Manuel Pellegrini’s first signing when his present terms with Fulham expire on 1 July.

“We’ve been speaking about it for a while and trying to get things in place and finally, we’ve got it over the line,” Fredericks told the Hammers’ official website. “It’s amazing for this deal to finally happen.”