Arsenal signing Krystian Bielik has paid tribute to Legia Warsaw manager and former Manchester United defender Henning Berg for paving the way for his move to north London.

The Gunners confirmed the arrival of the 17-year-old midfielder on Wednesday 21 January for a reported fee of £2.5m to become the club's first signing of the winter transfer window.

Bielik's rise to prominence has been rapid, since he only made his professional debut last August, and the player thanked the man who gave him that chance.

"I have decided to move to Arsenal and although I cannot be sure of what is to come in the future, I'm going to London to fulfil my dreams," Bielik told Legia's official website.

"I felt at home in Warsaw and I will always have fond memories of the time I spent in Legia. Dominik Ebebenge, the development director, was always a huge help for me and I cannot find words to describe my gratitude towards him.

"I am also grateful to my teammates and manager Henning Berg for trusting such a young player and giving me a chance to play for the first team. It is mostly thanks to him that I am able to move to Arsenal."

Despite his tender years, Bielik will move straight into Arsenal's first team once he improves his fitness levels. The teenager has not played any football since December due to the winter break in Poland and his manager predicts it will be at least three weeks before Arsenal fans get a glimpse of their new player.

Asked whether Bielik had any chance of featuring in FA Cup fourth-round clash with Brighton on Sunday 25 January, Wenger said: "No, not at all. He's only just come from Poland. He has just turned 17, is not fit because they had a winter break in Poland and that is quite long. He's at the start of getting back to full fitness. He won't be ready before three weeks."

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