Arsenal have announced club captain Per Mertesacker will transition to the role of academy manager at the beginning of the 2018-19 season.
The club confirmed the scheduled appointment via their official website on Friday, and Mertesacker expressed his delight to be taking the next step in his football career at the Emirates Stadium:
"This is the start of an exciting new chapter for me and I am delighted that I will be able to stay part of the Arsenal family. This season I will remain fully focused on my job with the team and am looking forward to a successful last season on the pitch.