Arsenal makes defender Kolasinac its 1st off-season recruit

Sead-Kolasinac.-(Martin-Meissner/AP)

Sead Kolasinac. (Martin Meissner/AP)

LONDON — Arsenal made defender Sead Kolasinac the Premier League club’s first off-season signing on Tuesday.
   
The 23-year-old left back will join on a five-year contract from German club Schalke, where his contract is ending.
   
"Arsenal has a huge tradition and I followed the club as a young boy, in the days of Jens Lehmann and Thierry Henry," Kolasinac said.
   
Arsenal, which said the move has not yet been officially completed, is strengthening the squad after manager Arsene Wenger signed a two-year contract extension.
   
Arsenal finished fifth in the Premier League and will play in the Europa League rather than the more lucrative Champions League next season.

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