Report: Carlos Vela Completes Transfer to Real Sociedad

Tom Adams, supervising editor for UK Eurosport/Yahoo!, tweeted Wednesday evening that Stefan Edberg has revealed that Arsenal striker Carlos Vela, long rumored to be moving away from the Emirates, has finalized a three-year deal with La Liga side Real Sociedad, with whom he spent last season on loan.

Fox News confirmed the report, although they announced that Vela had signed a four-year deal with the Spanish side.

Arsenal's official website had reported on Tuesday that Vela had flown to San Sebastian this week to hammer out the final details for a move to the club.

Vela, who had been with Arsenal since 2005, never succeeded in locking down a consistent spot with the first team. His north London tenure was marked by a succession of (largely Spanish-influenced) loan moves that saw Vela spend time with Salamanca, Osasuna, West Bromwich Albion and finally, Sociedad.

Unable to secure a work permit at the start of his Arsenal career (he did not succeed in acquiring one until May 2008), a hiccup which led to his first loan move, Vela had made a sparkling debut when he finally donned the red-and-white shirt.

A hat-trick in September 2008 against Sheffield United in the Carling Cup seemed to auger good omens for the Mexican international, whom Wenger had swooned over during an interview with Arsenal's official website following the Sheffield United match, calling Vela "an Eduardo-(type), basically."

But aside from the off-peach of a finish (chipped goals were his specialty), Vela's time with Arsenal will be marked by unfulfilled promise.

With Wenger having recruited two forwards in Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud this summer, Vela's spot within the side—already delicate, had been further compromised.

A move away seemed to be in his best interest.