Wales U21 star Robbie Burton insists he has made the right move in leaving Arsenal to join Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb.
The deal, reported to be worth £800,000 to the Gunners, was still dependent on the 20-year-old midfielder agreeing to become the first British player to move to the Croatian capital club.
Burton is viewed as a rising star within the Wales set-up and seemed to be on the verge of a first team breakthrough at Arsenal during Unai Emery’s time as manager.
But despite six appearances under Emery in various low key matches, Burton has found it harder to make an impression under new manager Mikel Arteta.
“I would like to say thank you to everyone at Arsenal who have helped me and made me the player I am today,” said Burton in a social media post.
“To leave a club that means so much to me is hard but the right decision for my career. I wish the club all the best in the future.”
Born in Gravesend, Burton qualifies for Wales through grandfather from Aberystwyth and has won eight caps for Wales U21s.
Burton – who follows former Wales U21 teammate Rabbi Matondo in leaving the Premier League for Europe – is joining a club which has produced some of Europe’s finest midfielders, including Luka Modric, Zvonimir Boban and Robert Prosinecki.
Having played for Arsenal during their summer tour of the USA, in games against Colorado Rapids and Fiorentina, Burton was an unused substitute in the EFL Cup third round win over Nottingham Forest this season and joined the travelling party for the Europa League group stage game against Standard Liege.
He has also captained Arsenal’s U23 on nine occasions this season.