June 5 (UPI) -- Arsenal has agreed to sign free agent defender Stephan Lichtsteiner.
The club announced the deal on Tuesday.
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Swiss national team player Stephan Lichtsteiner refreshes himself during a training session on May 29 in Lugano, Switzerland. Photo by Gabriele Putzu/EPA-EFE
"Happy and honored to be a Gunner," Lichtsteiner tweeted.
"Will work hard and passionately day in and day out to achieve our sportive objectives and to win trophies with this great club!"
Lichsteiner comes over to the Premier League after logging more than 250 appearances for Juventus. He will sign with the Gunners as a free agent. The deal is subject to completion of the regulatory process, according to the club.
The 34-year-old began his senior career in 2001 with Grasshopper Zurich. He played with Lille for three seasons before moving to Lazio in 2008. Lichsteiner joined Juventus in 2011.
He is the first signing this summer for the Gunners and the first player signed under new boss Unai Emery. The former Paris Saint-Germain manager was hired to replace longtime coach Arsene Wenger in May.
"Stephan brings huge experience and leadership to our squad," Emery said in a news release from the club.
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"He's a player with great quality with a very positive and determined attitude. Stephan will improve us on and off the pitch."
Lichtsteiner will wear No. 12 for the Gunners. Arsenal's next match is an International Champions Cup clash against Atletico Madrid on July 26 at Singapore National Stadium.
