Serie A champions Juventus have confirmed the £14m capture of Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira.

The central midfielder, who will now partner Brazilian ace Emerson, has signed a five-year contract at the Stadio Delle Alpi.

The Bianconeri have been in talks for the 29-year-old for the last few weeks and a deal has been completed.

Vieira will now link up with boss Fabio Capello again after a brief stint at the San Siro almost a decade ago.

The Frenchman joins the side despite being strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid over the last two summers.

Vieira ends his Premiership stint after nine years in England since he became Ars豕ne Wenger＊s first signing at the London club.

"When you spend nine years at the club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave," Vieira told Arsenal.com.

"But in the end you have to make a choice for your future. It was a very difficult decision, but I am happy with it.

"I made the decision to leave because I felt it was time for me to have a new challenge. But that does not mean I was unhappy or that I was having a problem at Arsenal.

"It was just that I had the feeling I needed to grow and meet a new challenge, and I feel Juventus was the best challenge for me.

"I＆d like to thank the Arsenal fans. They have been fabulous. Even recently in the street they were saying ＆if you are going, then thanks for the last nine years＊. That is really touching and it makes me feel that I gave my best for the club.

"I can go with my head held high. I did my best every day in training and in every match, and I left shaking the hand of Ars豕ne Wenger and Mr David Dein. That was really important to me."

Arsenal have accepted to sell the combative player given that his contract was set to expire in June 2007.

It is understood that Juventus will pay the fee in three instalments - £7m immediately, £3.5m in July 2006 and £3.5m in July 2007.

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