| It was probably the worst kept secret of the year that the Arsenal midfielder Fran Merida had made an arrangement with Atletico Madrid to sign for them at the end of his Arsenal contract, and today El Mundo Deportivo have made an official announcement. Their article said: Fran Mérida, el primero! El Atlético ya se ha hecho con los servicios del centrocampista que abre la nómina de fichajes de la 2010-11. El jugador llegará gratis al Vicente Calderón, acaba contrato con el Arsenal el próximo 30 de junio. This translates as : Fran Merida, the first! Athletico has already secured the services of the midfield player who is the clubs first acquisition of the 2010-11 season. The player will arrive free at the Vicente Cauldron, as his contract with Arsenal ends on the 30th June. We all knew it was on the cards when he refused to sign the agreed contract with Arsenal, but it is still annoying that such a promising youngster has been allowed to leave on a free transfer….
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