Who is Andrea Berta? Arsenal's new sporting director who masterminded Rodri, Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez signings
By Leon Imber
Published 30/03/2025 at 13:44 GMT+1
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Nearly five months after Arsenal announced the surprise departure of sporting director Edu, the north London side welcomed his replacement - Andrea Berta. The 53-year-old spent 12 years with Atletico Madrid, in which time the Spanish giants reached two UEFA Champions League finals and twice won La Liga. Berta also spent several years in similar roles at Italian clubs.
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Andrea Berta was officially announced as Arsenal's new sporting director on Sunday, replacing the departed Edu, who made a shock exit in November.
Edu spent five years at the club, and oversaw Arsenal's transformation from struggling to qualify for European football, to Premier League title challengers and UEFA Champions League regulars.
And while Edu's reign can be viewed as an overall success, Berta will hope to take The Gunners one step further and help the club begin to land trophies on a consistent basis, having not picked up major silverware since 2020 in the form of the FA Cup.
"I am thrilled to be joining Arsenal in what is a hugely exciting period for the club," Berta told Arsenal's official website.
"I have watched with great interest the way Arsenal has evolved in recent years and I have admired the hard work that has gone into re-establishing the club as a major force in European football with a passionate following around the world.
"The club has great values and a rich history, and I am looking forward to playing my part in shaping a successful future with a great team.
"I cannot wait to get started in my new role and I am really looking forward to experiencing my first game at Emirates Stadium together with our supporters."
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Berta's success in Spain
The Italian's early career as a sporting director saw him spend 10 years in his native country across spells with AC Carpenedolo, Parma and Genoa, but much of his reputation comes as a result of his 12-year tenure with Atletico Madrid.
Berta joined the Spanish club in 2013 as a technical director. According to Atletico, his role began with work in "international scouting", before moving into "technical management".
Just four years later, Berta would replace Jose Luis Perez Caminero as the club's new sporting director.
According to the club, this role saw him assume "co-ordination of the first team", overseeing "the first team’s coaching staff, assistants of the coaching staff, the first team’s area of coordination, Atletico Madrid B and the scouting and analysis team".
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During his 12-year stint, Atletico ended their near-20-year wait for a La Liga title in 2013/14 - having last lifted the Spanish top-flight trophy in 1995/96. They went on to romp to another title in 2020/21.
The club also managed to convert the positive upturn into European competitions, reaching UEFA Champions League finals in the 2013/14 and 2015/16 seasons - losing to city rivals Real Madrid on both occasions.
Atletico lifted European silverware with UEFA Europa League glory in the 2017/18 campaign, beating Marseille 3-0 in France.
During Berta's time at the club, they also won the 2013 Copa del Rey, 2014 Spanish Super Cup, and 2018 UEFA Super Cup.
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Berta's transfer dealings
During his 12 years at the Vicente Calderon and Metropolitano, Berta worked alongside the club's CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin to conduct transfer business, during which time the club enjoyed resounding success with some impressive acquisitions.
The signings of Antoine Griezmann and Rodri were significant for the club, both in their performances and the significant profit they landed the club upon their big-money departures to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.
Under Berta's guidance, the club also landed the signing of Jan Oblak in 2014 - and the Slovenian has since gone on to establish himself as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
Kieran Trippier, Marcos Llorente and Jose Gimenez were also signed by Atletico during Berta's reign, and proved to be major successes at the club.
Berta's contract was officially terminated in January this year, but he left a parting gift for the club with the summer acquisition of Julian Alvarez for a reported £82 million from Manchester City.
The Argentina striker has scored 23 goals so far across all competitions during his debut season at the club.
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'An insatiable desire to build winning teams'
Arsenal's co-chairman Josh Kroenke said Berta "understands our values", as he explained how the Italian's arrival could help the club to bolster their trophy cabinet.
"Anyone who knows football knows Andrea is an impressive figure," Kroenke said. "He has vast knowledge of the game, a great track record, a strong network and an insatiable desire to build winning teams.
"Andrea will be a great addition to our club. He understands our values and what we stand for, and we have no doubt he will help us push on and take the next steps in our bid to win major trophies.
"We undertook a thorough recruitment process and we were hugely impressed with the level of all the other candidates, but it was Andrea’s experience and the success he has enjoyed that stood out.
"We are really looking forward to working together and welcoming him into the Arsenal family."
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