SK Sturm Graz director Andreas Schicker has hailed the 'very good discussions' with Arsenal that helped to get a deal for striker Mike Biereth over the line quickly.

Fan.at cover comments from the director today after Biereth's move from Arsenal to SK Sturm Graz was made official.

The striker spent the second half of last season on loan from Arsenal, arriving in January when a previous loan deal to Motherwell was cut short.

He proved to be a big hit at the Austrian side, bagging nine goals and four assists in 22 games by the end of the season.

They had made it clear they wanted to get a permanent deal for him agreed and had been pushing talks with Arsenal to achieve that, even despite claims they might not be able to afford such a move financially.

That did not prove to be the case, though, as they finalised the deal today, with the 21-year-old completing a EUR4.75m move. That brough an end to a relatively short stint with Arsenal, who he joined from Fulham's U18s in July 2021. He had spent most of his time at the Emirates out on loan at the likes of RKC Waalwijk, Motherwell and then SK Sturm Graz.

The latter are delighted to get him permanently and Schicker has praised the Gunners for how talks went.

"Mika is an absolute professional striker for our system, with power, depth and an enormous goal threat," he said.

"We have never made a secret of the fact that we wanted to see Mika continue in Graz after his outstanding performances in the spring.

"We are therefore extremely happy that we have now been able to implement this venture. In addition to the very good discussions with Arsenal, Mika's very clear commitment to SK Sturm was crucial.

"We are extremely happy that he does not see his job at Sturm as over yet and that we will continue to see him in the Sturm jersey."