Wenger has high hopes for Senderos

Servette centre-back Philippe Senderos will join Arsenal at the end of the season, both clubs confirmed on Friday.

Senderos, who turns 18 next month, will move to Highbury from the Swiss club on 1 June after agreeing terms with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Senderos, who has been a regular for Servette this term, is out of contract at the end of the season.

But Servette president Christian Luescher said "a (financial) agreement was made between the three parties", adding that the deal had been agreed for three months.

Speaking on Friday at Servette's Charmilles Stadium, Senderos said: "The English develop a fighting spirit in players and that is the reason I want to play at Arsenal.

"In England football is a religion. I think playing in the Premier League will allow me to develop better as a player."

European giants

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Senderos caught the eye of Europe's leading teams after captaining Switzerland to the European Under-17 championship title earlier this year.

He held talks with Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier in October and was invited to train with the Anfield club during the Swiss league's winter break.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSV Eindhoven have also expressed an interest in the central defender.