Arsenal have completed the signing of England defender Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa on a long-term contract for a reported fee of £51 million, with a potential £4m in performance-related add-ons.

The 26-year-old centre-back, who is believed to have committed to a four-year deal with the Premier League champions, arrives in north London following a stellar seven-year spell at Villa Park where he established himself as one of the division's most reliable defenders.

'Hungry to Keep Winning'

Konsa leaves Villa after making 286 appearances across all competitions, scoring 12 goals following his 2019 switch from Brentford. Last season, he helped guide Villa to continental silverware, starting in their comprehensive 3-0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final.

"I'm super excited. It's a privilege to be here, and I can't wait to get started," Konsa said in his first interview with Arsenal's official website.

"I want to keep winning; I'm hungry to win, and that's what I'm here for. It's a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.

"The chemistry they [the defenders] have – they all want to defend for each other. The love they have for defending, they love keeping the ball out of the net, which is what you have to do as a defender. But I just love the way they are together. What they've built over the past few years has been special."

Key Pillar at Villa

Konsa was a vital figure for Villa last campaign, playing 4,170 minutes across 48 appearances in all competitions, with only Morgan Rogers (4,562) recording more game time for the club. He led his teammates in touches (3,348), total passes (2,873), successful passes (2,730), and clearances (164).

On the international stage, Konsa featured in all eight matches for England at the summer World Cup, getting on the scoresheet in the third-place play-off as the Three Lions secured bronze.

Konsa will not feature in Arsenal's Premier League opener against Coventry City on Friday, but he could be in line to make his Gunners debut on August 31 against his former club Aston Villa.