Arsenal’s new player, Riccardo Calafiori, told Mikel Arteta, the manager, that he was ready to join the team.
Calafiori became an Arsenal player on Monday.
The 22-year-old picked Arsenal over other teams, even though they also wanted him.
He came from Bologna in a deal worth €50 million.
Arteta said: “When I talked to him a couple of times, and knew other teams wanted him, I wasn’t sure we could get him.
“But he told me: ‘Tell me when you’re ready; my bags are packed and I want to come to Arsenal.’
“Those were his exact words. When someone is so eager to join us and improve our team, it’s special. As a club, we should be proud.