Arsenal sign Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer from Schalke

The Bosnian defender, 23, will arrive on 1 July and becomes the club's first summer signing

Arsenal have signed Schalke left-back Sead Kolasinac on a free transfer, the Premier League club confirmed on Tuesday.

Kolasinac will start pre-season training with Arsenal in July "subject to the completion of all regulatory processes", the north London club announced on their website, and has signed a long-term deal.

Schalke confirmed in a statement that the 23-year-old had signed a contract to keep him at The Emirates until 2022.

The Bosnian defender is most comfortable at left-back but can also play in central defence. His flexibility will allow Arsene Wenger to persist with his new 3-4-3 system, where Kolasinac could operate on the left of a back three or as a wing-back.

Chelsea bid for Kolasinac in January, trying to take advantage of his contract running out to pick him up on the cheap.

But, instead, he saw out his deal with the Bundesliga club and signs on a Bosman for the Gunners.

Kolasinac will be competing with two senior left backs, Nacho Monreal and Kieran Gibbs, for a first-team spot.

He represented Germany at youth level before deciding in 2013 to play for Bosnia, his parents' homeland, and has collected 17 caps.