Arsenal sign Brazilian defender Gabriel from Ligue 1 club Lille.

Gabriel Magalhaes [Getty Images]

Arsenal have announced the signing Brazilian defender Gabriel from Lille for a reported fee of £27m on a long-term contract.

The Gunners new centre-back was linked with several clubs including Manchester United, Everton, and Serie A club Napoli.

Gabriel made 34 appearances in all competitions last season for the Ligue 1 side Lille and they finished fourth in the French top-flight.

Gabriel is now the second player to join the North London club from Lille in the last year, after Ivory Coast forward Nicolas Pepe's move to the Emirates Stadium.

"We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told the club's website. "He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team.

"He has proved with Lille that he is a defender with many outstanding attributes and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player."

Technical director Edu added: "We are delighted to have signed Gabriel. He is a player we have been studying for a while and he was in demand from many clubs, so we are proud to have agreed and completed this transfer with Lille and the player.

"Gabriel is a player of high quality and Mikel and his coaches are looking forward to integrating him into the club."

Follow Think Football Ideas across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

#Ligue1