Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has signed a four-year deal with Spanish first division side Espanyol. The Austrian, who had played on loan at Italian club Fiorentina last season has signed for a reported fee of 1.5 million euros.
Manninger was signed by Arsenal from Graz AK in June 1997 as the likely successor to David Seaman and had a run in the first team when the English keeper was injured two seasons ago.
But the subsequent signing of Richard Wright from Ipswich saw the Austrian drop down the pecking order to the number three spot at the club and his move away from the Premiership was widely expected. He will now compete with Alfredo Argenso for the goalkeeping berth at the Barcelona based club.
Filed by James Shortt
