Arsenal completes signing of Southampton's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Talented youngster makes the move to north London after a six-month chase in a deal worth 12 million pounds, with the midfielder's "huge potential" hailed by manager Arsene Wenger

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has completed his move to Arsenal having agreed personal terms and undergone a medical at the club's training ground earlier today.

The 17-year-old arrived at Arsenal's London Colney training ground this afternoon to undergo a medical after the club reached an agreement on a package worth 12 million pounds to take the player, 18 next week, to the Emirates Stadium from Southampton.

Oxlade-Chamberlain joins the Gunners following his breakthrough season at St Mary's Stadium, where he played a key role as Southampton was promoted from League One to the Championship, scoring 10 goals in 41 league appearances before being voted in the PFA League One Team of the Year.

"We are delighted that Alex has decided to join us. He is an exciting young player who will provide us with creativity and offensive quality. Alex is a versatile player who can play in a number of positions. He can play as an attacking centre midfielder, or wide left and right" Arsene Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "Alex is a perceptive passer of the ball and has a great understanding of the game and looks to be a very good team player."<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/adj/gna.enus/level2;tile=3;sz=160x600;ord=222539?area=2l&pos=2&ord=222539"></script>

Wenger continued, "Alex has done extremely well during his development with Southampton and we are looking forward to him progressing even further and fulfilling his huge potential with Arsenal Football Club."

The deal taking the England under-21 international comes six months after Arsenal first made its interest known in the player.

And Oxlade-Chamberlain says that he is now looking forward to testing himself in the Premier League with Arsenal.

"I'm so excited to be joining Arsenal. It's a fantastic club and I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing football at the highest level," he said. "Arsenal have a great manager in Arsene Wenger, top quality players and an attractive style of play. These were all important factors in me choosing to sign for Arsenal."

Oxlade-Chamberlain was also appreciative of the support he received at Southampton, saying, "I'm proud to be joining Arsenal, but I would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Southampton for their help and support during the early part of my career, for which I will always be grateful."