Unai Emery: Arsenal makes coaching hire official

May 23 (UPI) -- Premier League power Arsenal made the hiring of Unai Emery official on Wednesday morning.

Emery -- the former manager for Paris Saint-Germain -- takes the role held by Arsene Wenger for 22 years. Wenger announced in April that he was stepping down. He posted a 704-245-279 record and won 10 major trophies with the Gunners. Wenger took the job in October 1996.

The 46-year-old Emery coached Almeria, Valencia, Spartak Moscow and Sevilla before being hired as PSG boss in 2016. The Ligue 1 club announced in April that he would not return for a third season, despite winning a league crown and four domestic cups.

"Unai has an outstanding track record of success throughout his career, has developed some of the best young talent in Europe and plays an exciting, progressive style of football that fits Arsenal perfectly," Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said in a release from the club. "His hard-working and passionate approach and his sense of values on and off the pitch make him the ideal person to take us forward."   "We conducted a confidential, wide-ranging and rigorous search involving extensive background references, data and video analysis, and personal meetings with all the candidates we shortlisted. All were interested in the position and we were unanimous in our choice of Unai to drive the next chapter of our history."

Emery's appointment is still subject to completion of the regulatory process, according to a release from the club.

"I am thrilled to be joining one of the great clubs in the game," Emery said. "Arsenal is known and loved throughout the world for its style of play, its commitment to young players, the fantastic stadium, the way the club is run. I'm very excited to be given the responsibility to start this important new chapter in Arsenal's history."

"I have met [owners] Stan and Josh Kroenke and it's clear they have great ambitions for the club and are committed to bringing future success. I'm excited about what we can do together and I look forward to giving everyone who loves Arsenal some special moments and memories."

Emery will be introduced at a news conference at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday in London. The Gunners battle Atletico Madrid in an International Champions Cup matchup at 7:30 a.m. on July 26 at Singapore National Stadium in Singapore.