Arsenal finalises Sokratis' move from Dortmund

One of the transfer window's worst-kept secrets has finally come to fruition.

Arsenal announced Monday that it has completed a move for Greek international centre-half Sokratis Papastathopoulos from Borussia Dortmund on a long-term deal for an undisclosed fee.

Reports suggest that the 30-year-old is arriving at the Emirates Stadium for a £17.6-million fee.

With Laurent Koscielny nursing a torn Achilles and Per Mertesacker put out to graze as a member of Arsenal's academy staff, Sokratis is likely to start alongside Shkodran Mustafi in central defence. He'll be the second Greek centre-half in the Gunners' first team, joining January signing Konstantinos Mavropanos at the Emirates Stadium.

Sokratis enlists with the north London lot following a five-year spell at the Westfalenstadion, where the 79-time-capped international won the DFB-Pokal in 2016-17.