Arsenal's Welcome Keeper Bernd Leno While Jack Wilshere Decides To Leave Club After 17 Years

Jack Wilshere has announced that he is to leave Arsenal once his contract with the club expires at the end of the month.

Wilshere broke the news on his Instagram account on Tuesday night before posting a video montage of his time at the club.

The 26-year-old revealed he would have accepted a pay cut but decided to leave after it was made clear by Unai Emery that he could not be guaranteed regular first-team football.

Crystal Palace and West Ham are among those who will show an interest, with Roy Hodgson in particular a fan.

In a statement, Wilshere wrote: 'I can confirm that I will be leaving Arsenal Football Club when my contract expires at the end of June.

'Following a number of extensive conversations with those at the club, and in particular a recent meeting with the new manager, Unai Emery, I felt that I was ultimately left with little choice but to make the decision that I have due to purely footballing reasons.'

WILSHERE'S TIME AT ARSENAL

Appearances: 150

Premier League appearances: 92

Goals: 14

Premier League goals: 7

Honours: FA Cup (2014, 2015), FA Community Shield (2014), League Cup runner-up (2011, 2018)

He added that he had been prepared to take a pay cut in order to stay at the north London side, but admitted regular first team football is more important.

'Such was my desire to stay that I had in fact recently agreed to sign a financially reduced contract in order to commit my future to the club,' he said.

'However, following my meeting with the new manager I was made aware that although the reduced contract offer remained, it was made clear to me that my playing time would be significantly reduced should I decide to stay.

'I am sure everyone can understand that at this point in my life and career I need to be playing regular first team football and following my meeting with Mr Emery I came away feeling that it would be very difficult for me to do so at Arsenal.'

Wilshere has been at Arsenal for 17 years but has struggled with injuries, which have restricted his ability to play regularly.

Meanwhile, Germany international keeper Bernd Leno has moved to Arsenal from Bayer Leverkusen in a £20million deal, which was confirmed on Tuesday evening.

Leverkusen posted to Twitter: 'Bernd Leno is joining Arsenal, effective immediately. Thanks for all of your hard work and dedication, Bernd! We wish you all the best in this next phase of your career!'

Arsenal then announced the deal on their own social media page, with a short video captioned 'he's a keeper'.

The 26-year-old has agreed a five-year deal with the Emirates Stadium club and will join Unai Emery's revolution for a £20m transfer fee.

Emery told the club website: 'Bernd is a goalkeeper of high quality and experience. He has been a top performer and regular No 1 goalkeeper with Leverkusen in the Bundesliga for the past seven years.

-Dailymail