Reyes confirms Arsenal signing

The gifted 20-year-old has moved to Highbury in a sensational deal thought to be worth around ‚é¼35 million (£24 million).

Reports in Spain suggest that Arsenal will pay an initial sum of ‚é¼24 million, with a further ‚é¼10 million to follow depending on appearances and incentives.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been a long-term admirer of Reyes and has been monitoring the progress of the left-sided attacker for the past couple of years.

The youngster, who becomes Arsenal's record signing, expressed his delight at the move, and insisted the speed of the deal had caught even him by surprise.

"I am the happiest man in the world at this moment, and at the same time the saddest," he told his personal website.

"There's no doubt that this is a huge moment in my career, but I won't forget I'm leaving the club (Sevilla) that I love with all my heart and everything has happened so quickly that it has seemed like a film.

"Thankfully what I have always said has come true; that if I was to go, the club (Sevilla) would get good money for me, and I will develop spectacularly as a player."

The Sevilla youth product is widely regarded, along with Atletico Madrid's Fernando Torres, as the outstanding prospect in Spanish football, and his capture represents a huge coup for Wenger.

The player will travel to London on Tuesday to meet his new team-mates and complete a routine medical, and will be handed the number nine shirt at Highbury.

Reyes, who will be available for the remainder of Arsenal's UEFA Champions League campaign, could even make his Gunners debut in this weekend's league game with Manchester City.

Sevilla are expected to replace him with Celta Vigo forward Jesuli.

The former Sevilla player looks set to move back to Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan in a ‚é¼10 million (£6 million) deal, though he will face a huge task in filling the boots of Reyes.