Arsenal hand Edu Gaspar a promotion as he is appointed as their first ever sporting director.
Arsenal has promoted Edu Gaspar to the position of sports director for the first time.
In his former post as technical director, the Brazilian was a tremendously important figure for the Gunners, helping recruit crucial players like Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko over the summer.
Arsenal have opted to reward Edu for his role in helping them reach the top of the Premier League standings, despite uncertainty over his future at the club.
‘I’m happy to have this new responsibility, which I see as an evolution and consolidation of the way we’ve been operating,’ Edu stated in a statement on their official website.
‘We are making good progress in all areas of our men’s, women’s and academy and we are all excited about what can be achieved.
‘I look forward to building on the hard work of so many people and helping all of us grow together and enjoy more success, and am thankful for the trust the club has put in me. We move forward together.’
Edu was a member of Arsenal’s Invincibles team in 2003-04, the club’s final Premier League title.
He returned to the club in 2019 as technical director and has had a significant effect on their transfer negotiations.
In October, Sportsmail claimed that negotiations for a new contract for Edu were underway.
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At least two European teams have shown an interest in Edu, something Arsenal is thought to be aware of.
In addition to his present responsibilities in men’s and women’s football, his elevation sees him take on responsibility for all of the club’s Academy activities.
Chief Executive Vinai Venkatesham said: ‘We are delighted that Edu is recommitting his future to the Club that he so clearly loves, after making such a positive and critical contribution to our progress in his time with us so far.
‘Edu’s promotion formalises his already growing influence over our Academy operations, and we look forward to Per and Edu working together to strengthen the integration between our men’s first-team and Academy yet further.’
Arsenal sit top of the table by five points going into the World Cup break.
