Aubameyang signs for Arsenal

London : Arsenal have signed Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from Borussia Dortmund for a club record £56m.

The Gunners had two bids for the 28-year-old rejected by Dortmund before agreeing a fee that eclipses their £46.5m for Alexandre Lacazette in July.

Dortmund agreed to the sale after striking a deal to sign Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi on loan.

Arsenal said the 2015 African Footballer of the Year had joined on “a long-term contract”.

“I’m really happy to be here in this great team,” Aubameyang said.

“The club has such a big history and great players like Thierry Henry. He’s an example for us strikers. I’m a fast player and I score goals too, like Henry a little bit. I think I have to work a lot to be like him, but I will do.

“I hope that we will come back to the top as soon as possible. I will do my best to join in.”

Aubameyang scored 141 goals in 213 games for Dortmund since 2013, including 21 in 24 matches this season.

But he was suspended by the German club for their match against Wolfsburg on 14 January for missing a team meeting.

The forward was also left out of the squad for their next game at Hertha Berlin because club officials felt he was not focused enough, but he played 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg.