Arsenal transfer news: Gunners make first signing of the summer

Gunners appoint new fitness coach

Fitness coach Shad Forsythe of Germany (Getty Images)

Arsenal have made their first signing of the summer, a new fitness coach.

The Gunners have reportedly made the move in a bid to reduce their injury problems next season.

Shad Forsythe, head fitness coach for the German national side, will join Arsene Wenger's side following the World Cup.

He joins the Arsenal backroom team alongside Tony Colbert, the club's long-standing first team fitness coach, as the North London club look to find a solution to the injury problems that have dogged recent seasons.

Wenger has previously vowed to look at his side's training and medical methods after repeated problems with injuries and the revelation that Arsenal players were unavailable for more days last season than at any other Premier League club.

It is thought that Forsythe has been appointed to help modernise their injury prevention methods at their training ground.

The 40-year-old American has been in charge of fitness for the German national side for 10 years having been appointed by Jurgen Klinsmann in 2004.

He will join Arsenal on a permanent basis following the World Cup.