Arsenal Football Club has officially appointed Andrea Berta as the new Sporting Director in a landmark development. Berta, who gained recognition under him at Atlético Madrid, succeeds Edu Gaspar, who departed the role in November after five years. (talksport.com)
Andrea Berta's Career Journey
Berta started his football administration career at AC Carpenedolo, a Serie D Italian club, in 2002. He later served at Parma and Genoa before joining Atlético Madrid as a technical director in 2013. In 2017, he was appointed Sporting Director, a position he held until his departure in January 2025. (arsenalinsider.com)
Impact at Atlético Madrid
During his 12-year stint with Atlético Madrid, Berta was instrumental to the club in its tally of six honors, two of them La Liga crowns. Despite being under La Liga's finance constraints, he showed a cunning eye for player signings and clever transfer dealings. Among his excellent signings are:
- Rodri – Purchased from Villarreal for £16.5 million in 2018 and subsequently sold to Manchester City for £58 million. (talksport.com)
- Antoine Griezmann – Signed in 2014, sold to Barcelona for £99 million in 2019, and re-signed for £18 million in 2023. (talksport.com)
- Luis Suárez – Joined on free transfer in 2020, Suárez was key to Atlético winning the 2020-2021 La Liga title. (talksport.com)
Transition to Arsenal
Berta's hire at Arsenal is expected to add significant experience and a new touch to the club's transfer processes. His talent-spotting skills, even with limited finances, will suit Arsenal's goals of becoming more competitive in domestic leagues and European competitions. The club's management, including head coach Mikel Arteta, hopes Berta's experience will improve their upcoming transfer projects and team performance in general. (theshortfuse.sbnation.com)
Looking Ahead
As Arsenal approaches the upcoming summer transfer window, Berta's position will be instrumental in shaping the squad. His track record suggests that he favors shrewd signings that yield immediate and long-term gains. Pundits and fans alike will be keen to observe how his appointment is followed by on-field success for the Gunners in the coming years.