Edu departs as Arsenal sporting director, sets to join Premier League side

Arsenal sporting director Edu has officially resigned from his role with the club, as he’s reportedly set to begin a new adventure with a Premier League team.

Edu was appointed as Arsenal Sporting Director in 2022 and has played an important role in the club transformation.

“Arsenal has given me the opportunity to work with so many amazing people and the chance to be a part of something so special in the club’s history. It has been a special journey and I thank Stan, Josh, Tim and Lord Harris for the support they’ve given me,” he said in a statement.

“I’ve loved working with so many great colleagues across our men’s, women’s and academy teams, especially Mikel [Arteta], who has become a great friend.

“Now it is time to pursue a different challenge. Arsenal will always remain in my heart. I wish the club and its supporters only good things and all the very best.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with Sporting Director Edu during a training session (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Multiple reports have it that Edu will be linking up with Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also counts Greek giants Olympiacos and Portugal’s Rio Ave among his clubs.

Edu is tipped to initially have a role overseeing recruitment across the group.

The Independent specifically notes Edu had an ambition to become Arsenal chief executive, which the Marinakis group are “willing to meet”, as well as more than trebling his current Arsenal salary.

Edu retired from his own playing career in his early thirties, but quickly moved into a director of football role with Brazilian side Corinthians.

He was later a coordinator for the Brazil national team and joined Arsenal, where he’d spent four seasons as a player, as technical director in 2019. He was promoted to sporting director in 2022.