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Cashing in Arsenal signs French hero Pires, Brazil's Edu
Posted: Monday July 03, 2000 01:31 PM
LONDON (AP) -- Arsenal confirmed Monday it had signed French Euro 2000 star Robert Pires and Brazilian Edu. Pires, 26, arrived Monday from Rotterdam, where he provided the pass for the winning goal in Sunday's Euro 2000 final 2-1 win against Italy. He completed his signing and then headed to Paris to join the French celebrations Edu will join the north London Premier League side from Brazilian champions Corinthians. Both players will arrive at Highbury for pre-season training over the next few weeks. Pires closed speculation on his future by signing with Arsenal. After coming on as a substitute for France and assisting David Trezeguet's "golden goal" Sunday with a brilliant left wing run, he hinted he would join Real Madrid. "I have great admiration and respect for Arsene Wenger, who has transformed the careers of my fellow countrymen Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, Emanuel Petit, Gilles Grimandi and, of course, Nicolas Anelka," Pires said. With Corinthians, Edu, 22, has won the Brazilian League title in the past two seasons, as well as the 1999 Sao Paulo State Championship and the 2000 FIFA Club World Championship. "Both players are very talented, versatile midfielders with fantastic ability, who will give us an extra dimension in facing the demands of the forthcoming campaign," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "Of course we are aiming to strengthen the squad as much as possible and we are hoping to add one more name before the start of the new season." Fellow French international and Arsenal star Patrick Vieira will start talks Tuesday on an improved five-year deal with Arsenal aimed at keeping him with the club. "I enjoy my football at Arsenal and I'm really happy there. Now I'm a regular in the national team and Arsene Wenger has helped me to achieve that," Vieira said. "I'm playing as well as I've ever done. Now I want to enjoy things and to become an even better player. Since I've been in English football, it's been fantastic for me. So I'll have to stay."
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