Arsenal seal £50m signing of defender Ben White from Brighton

White is club’s third-most expensive signing of all time

Arteta says ‘intelligent’ defender’s style ‘fits perfectly’

The 23-year-old centre-back had been one of Mikel Arteta’s top summer targets and his ability to pass out from defence, as well as stepping into midfield, was seen as a key component in speeding up Arsenal’s game in possession. Although he effectively replaces David Luiz, he is more than a decade younger and appears yet to reach his ceiling. He will take the No 4 shirt and has signed a five-year contract.

White was an impressive performer for Brighton throughout last season, his first in the Premier League, having bided his time upon graduating from their academy. He spent loans with Newport and Peterborough but caught the eye more widely during an outstanding campaign with Leeds in 2019-20, when he played every match in their promotion from the Championship.