Transfer news: Mathieu Flamini re-signs for Arsenal on three-year deal

Wenger praises 'very good addition' to squad

Mathieu Flamini made 153 appearances for Arsenal between 2004 and 2008 (GETTY IMAGES)

Mathieu Flamini has re-signed for Arsenal, after agreeing a three-year deal worth a reported £50,000 per week with the club today.

The versatile midfielder, who can also fill in at full-back, had left Arsenal to join Milan in 2008, but was released by the Italian side at the end of last season and had been training with the Gunners over the summer.

"We’re very pleased Mathieu has agreed to re-join us," manager Arsene Wenger said. "He is a player of real quality, with a fantastic work rate and great mentality. As we know, Mathieu is a strong midfielder, but is also is comfortable playing in defence too. He is a very good addition to our squad."

The Frenchman becomes Arsenal’s second new addition in this transfer window after fellow free transfer Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre. Flamini is also the fourth player that Wenger has re-signed for Arsenal, after Sol Campbell, Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry.

Flamini originally signed for Arsenal in 2004 after leaving Marseilles and made 153 appearances in four years for the club, including coming on as a substitute in the 2-1 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona in 2006. He then joined Milan on another free transfer in May 2008 and won the Serie A in 2011, but missed the majority of the 2011/12 season with a knee injury.