Edu the top Gun

ARSENAL have promoted Edu to become the club’s first-ever sporting director.

The former Brazil and Arsenal midfielder was appointed as their first technical director in 2019.

A club statement read: “Edu’s promotion sees him assume overarching responsibility for all our academy activities, in addition to his existing responsibilities across men’s and women’s football.”

Chief executive Vinai Venkatesham added: “We are delighted that Edu is recommitting his future to the club he so clearly loves, after making such a positive and critical contribution with us so far.

“Edu’s promotion formalises his already growing influence over our academy operations and we look forward to [academy manager] Per Mertesacker and Edu working together.”