Arsenal have announced the appointment of Andrea Berta as their new sporting director, with the Italian set to attend their match against Fulham on Tuesday as he immediately begins his new role.
Berta was identified as the leading candidate to replace Edu, who resigned from the position in November to join a network of clubs led by Evangelos Marinakis, the Nottingham Forest owner. Berta departed Atlético Madrid in January after spending 12 years in the Spanish capital and was responsible for several key signings, including Jan Oblak from Benfica in 2014 and Rodri from Villarreal in 2019.
His strong track record convinced Arsenal that he was the right choice following an extensive recruitment process led by managing director Richard Garlick and executive vice-chair Tim Lewis, with input from co-chair Josh Kroenke and manager Mikel Arteta.
Expressing his excitement, Berta said, “I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal at such an exciting time for the club. I have closely followed the club’s progress in recent years and admired the hard work done to reestablish Arsenal as a major force in European football with a passionate fanbase worldwide. The club has a rich history and strong values, and I look forward to contributing to its successful future with a great team. I cannot wait to get started and experience my first game at Emirates Stadium alongside our supporters.”
Josh Kroenke praised Berta’s appointment, emphasizing his extensive football knowledge, strong network, and winning mentality. “Andrea is an impressive figure with vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, and an insatiable desire to build winning teams. He will be a great addition to our club, as he understands our values and ambitions. We conducted a thorough recruitment process, and while the other candidates were highly impressive, Andrea’s experience and success set him apart. We look forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family.”
Jason Ayto, who had been filling the role on an interim basis since Edu’s departure, will now serve as Berta’s assistant. One of their first major tasks will be to secure a top-class centre forward following season-ending injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko are reported to be primary targets.
With Thomas Partey and Jorginho nearing the end of their contracts, Arsenal already have a deal in place for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi, worth around €60m. The club is also looking to reinforce the left-back position and negotiate key contract extensions, particularly for Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, whose current deals run until 2027.
