Ivorian striker Gervinho

Arsenal have finally confirmed the signing of Ivory Coast forward Gervinho.

The 24-year-old scored 15 goals to help Lille win the French league and Cup double last season.

The Gunners are currently on a pre-season tour of the far East and manager Arsene Wenger said: “Gervinho has joined. He had a medical on Thursday.

“We sent him home for a couple of days because he has a family and children. He did not come [on tour] because he has not had a [training] session yet.”

Gervinho, who captained Ivory Coast at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, recently told France Football magazine: “I chose Arsenal because it’s a young group within which I will be able to integrate easily.

“I had no hesitation. None. But in a transfer there’s always a period of analysis and negotiations.

“All sides had to be satisfied so that things could develop smoothly. I’m going there to play, not to be on the bench. Arsenal love the game and I love teams that love the game.

“The Premier League is a notch above. It’s maybe the best league in the world. I want to live that sensation.”

Paris St Germain have also enquired about Gervinho but Lille general manager Frederic Paquet did not want to “strengthen a competitor” by selling to a domestic rival.

Paquet went on to describe 20-year-old Belgian winger Eden Hazard, who is also thought to be an Arsenal target, as “untransferable”.