Former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny joins Abu Dhabi club Al Jazira

Former Arsenal midfielder Mohamed Elneny landed in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday as he began a new stint with Al Jazira.

Elneny joined Al Jazira on a free transfer with the deal announced as the Egypt international participated in the recently concluded Paris Olympic Games.

The 32-year-old left Arsenal at the end of last season after eight years at the Premier League club.

"It's the time. Elneny Jazrawi," Al Jazira had posted on X, formerly Twitter, at the end of last month.

Egypt missed out on a medal at the Olympics, losing to Morocco in the bronze medal match 6-0. They had to make do without a number of star players as Liverpool refused to release Mohamed Salah, Turkish side Trabzonspor held on to Mahmoud Trezeguet, and Nantes striker Mostafa Mohamed suffered a knee injury. Elneny captained the side at the Olympics.

He joined Arsenal from Swiss side Basel in 2016 for £5 million and made 161 appearances for the London club, winning the FA Cup in 2017.

A knee injury restricted Elneny to eight outings during the 2022/23 season. He made limited appearances in all competitions for Arsenal in last season's campaign as they finished second in the Premier League, just two points behind serial champions Manchester City.

Earlier in May, Elneny announced his intention to leave the club.

“Gooners, I’m here today to send you a message, to say goodbye and thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Elneny said in a video posted on X.

“The love, the support and the kindness. I’m really going to miss you so much and you’ll be in my heart forever.”

Meanwhile, West Ham United signed right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United on a seven-year contract, the Premier League club announced on Tuesday.

The deal is worth around £15 million for the 26-year old, who was in the final year of his contract at United.

Wan-Bissaka began his career at Crystal Palace before joining United in 2019. He played 190 matches for the Manchester club and helped them win the FA Cup last season.

"I see a team that is in it together, that will push each other to win, and a group that has got each others' backs through thick and thin," Wan-Bissaka said in a statement.

"It was a no-brainer for me to join West Ham – I'm excited and happy to be here."

West Ham, who finished ninth last season, kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Aston Villa on Saturday with new coach Julen Lopetegui at the helm.