Gunners sign Croatian striker Da Silva
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Arsenal have signed Croatia striker Eduardo da Silva from Dinamo Zagreb for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old was born in Brazil, but having moved to Europe at the age of 15, he took Croatian nationality in 2002.
The striker - who has agreed a four-year deal - scored the first competitive goal at Emirates Stadium when the Gunners beat Dinamo during last season's Champions League third qualifying round in late August.
Da Silva has scored seven goals in 12 appearances for Croatia - including one against England during the 2-0 Euro 2008 qualifier victory in Zagreb last October.
The deal for da Silva, which is subject to a medical, is the Gunners' first move in the transfer market since the £16million sale of captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona.
Manager Arsene Wenger had been keen to recruit a proven goalscorer, with Newcastle duo Obafemi Martins and Michael Owen reported to be on his shopping list.
However, the Gunners boss is now likely to turn his attentions to defensive cover following the signing of da Silva, who finished the Croatian season as their top scorer with a record 34 goals.
Wenger, who has been recharging his batteries at an Italian health resort ahead of the pre-season schedule, is now expected to step up his interest in Auxerre full-back Bakary Sagna.
The 24-year-old is likely to cost in the region of £6million and is keen on a move to Arsenal.
will he be another Sukur 
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Da Silva cost £16m, say Dinamo
Eduardo da Silva's transfer to Arsenal has been thrown into confusion after Dinamo Zagreb claimed they received £16.25million for the striker.
The Gunners confirmed the Croatia international had joined the club for an "undisclosed fee" on Monday as they made their first signing since Thierry Henry's £16.1million move to Barcelona.
But Dinamo president Mirko Barisic appears to have claimed Arsenal spent all of the Henry transfer money - and more - on the signing of da Silva.
He is quoted on the UEFA website as saying: "I think the transfer is worth 24million euros (£16.25million) from the money Arsenal got after selling Henry to Barcelona."
Meanwhile, da Silva has admitted he is thrilled to be signing for such a high-profile club.
He told Uefa.com: "I am excited and happy in the same time, also very proud that I am going to play in such a big club.
"Every football player wants to play for Barcelona, Real (Madrid), Manchester United or Arsenal one day and so do I.
"I want to progress in my career, but it will be hard to leave Dinamo Zagreb after eight years.
"I will miss the club, the guys. I will be back one day, but now I want to accept a new challenge." -
16m? to pay for him -
someone unproven
should have gotten tevez -
6 million - > Decent buy
16 million - > Huge gamble.
I mean, you sold Henry for 16m and bought an unproven and unknown striker for 16m?
Cheers.
CK -
bbc says it's around 7.5m.............i think he's already proven himself with his international goals already....
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For those people who doubt about Da Silva, here got some videos of his goals..
Some videos by Da Silva..
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3SgDI_Dg79c
In Dinamo shirt this season (number 24)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=70gxTrD18PI
1st goal scored against England -
Eduardo Can Replace Henry - Croatia Coach Bilic
Slaven Bilic had backed Eduardo da Silva to make his mark at Arsenal.
Despite Dinamo claiming otherwise, the transfee is supposed to be in the region of £8-10m. The 24-year-old signed a four year contract at the Emirates.
Croatian coach Slaven Bilic, who has made him a regular international, tips him for some great things while asking the Gunners to be patient.
"He is not yet a big name in the Premier League but, donÂ’t forget, he has already scored a goal against England," began Bilic.
"In fact, last season, he scored 54 goals combined for Croatia and for Zagreb. He is certainly a goalscorer.
"No one can replace Thierry Henry at Arsenal right now. He is the one of the best strikers in the world. And the things he did for Arsenal over the last six or seven years were amazing.
"But, as I remember it, while he clicked with the club from the start, he didnÂ’t play beautifully for them in his first season. He did well but it took him time to adjust.
"Eduardo can replace Thierry Henry but the Arsenal fans need to give him time."
"Zagreb did not want to sell their captain," he continued. "The president of the club told me he had received much bigger offers from teams in Russia and the Ukraine for Da Silva.
"He resisted them all but when Arsenal called, I told him ‘how can you deny the boy this dream?’
"This is Arsenal Football Club, one of the most respected and famous clubs in the world. He couldnÂ’t do it to Da Silva and reluctantly agreed to sell."
Coming back to the Gunners, Bilic added: "ItÂ’s a big blow to Arsenal to lose Thierry Henry to Barcelona. But with Emmanuel Adebayor, Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott, Da Silva will sort out most of their problems in attack.
"Eduardo scores great goals but that is not all he can do. He can open space for other players in the team. Last season he had the most assists in the Croatian League. Arsenal fans will be delighted with him, I am sure of it." -
This video showed that he is just like thierry henry in the croatian league.
good signing.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=nREh1bD0HsY
it would be impossible to sign anyone who can match henry's capability but hopefully he can be as good as ian wright or anelka.