Transfer news: Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano joins Arsenal on loan for the season

The Italy international joins from Palermo for the season

Emiliano Viviano (GETTY IMAGES)

Arsenal made yet another summer acquisition that cost the club nothing on deadline day.

It was announced that Palermo goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has signed a season-long loan deal at the Emirates - with the Gunners having the option to make the deal permanent.

The 27-year-old Italy international, who has six caps for his country, has been brought in to provide competition for the No 1 jersey alongside Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski.

It's understood that Arsene Wenger has been a long-time admirer of the goalkeeper who spent last season on loan at Fiorentina, who finished fourth in Serie A.

Palermo, who were relegated to Serie B last season, announced the deal with a short statement on their official website which read: "Goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano has been released to Arsenal on loan with the option to buy."

A product of the Brescia youth system, Viviano went on to play for the club for five years before joining Bologna, with Inter Milan purchasing 50 per cent of his registration before the move.

He went on to spend a season at the San Siro but a knee injury curtailed his first-team opportunities in Milan with a move to Palermo completed in 2012.

Wenger has already added the free transfer signings of forward Yaya Sanogo and the returning Mathieu Flamini and has now strengthened another key position at the Emirates Stadium.