In an official statement on the club’s official website confirming the deal, executive board chairman, Claus Horstmann admitted that Koln had offered the player new “competitive” terms on his contract, but with just one year left on his current deal, a transfer was best for the team.
Horstmann said: “We deeply regret his step, which is not a decision against [the club] but for the good of his own career. Koln were prepared to extend Lukas Podolski's contract on the basis of a competitive offer.
“Nonetheless, this early transfer decision offers scope and planning security for the next season. We will jump at this opportunity to reinvest these transfer earnings back into our team's quality and into the promotion of our youth squads.
“Lukas has helped the club in many difficult situations, Lukas has left a mark on Koln's reputation and we feel the need to thank him for numerous great football experiences at Koln.”

LUKAS PODOLSKISTRIKER | KOLN

IN FOCUS Age 26 Caps 95 Previous clubs Bayern Munich, Koln 2011-12 BUNDESLIGA STATS Games 28 Goals 18 Assists 6

The move has long been in the offing, with the striker's former boss Stale Solbakken admitting just two weeks ago that a move to England was on the cards and Gunners' manager Arsene Wenger publicly stating his admiration for the former Bayern Munich player in March.

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And Wenger, himself, speaking to Arsenal's official website, spoke of his happiness at securing the signature of the "top-class player": "We are delighted to secure the deal for Lukas and see him as an important part of our future. He is a top-class player, a very good finisher and a proven performer at club and international level. He is a very strong player and will provide us with good attacking options.

"We are happy to have made this signing early and we are looking forward to watching Lukas contribute at the European Championships over the summer, a level where he has already made 95 caps at the age of 26. That is a phenomenal record and just shows his quality as a player.”

"Podolski....great signing! Top player! To have that many appearances for Germany you have to be half decent!" - Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere

Ahead of the move, the 26-year-old has thanked the Koln fans before his summer switch to the Emirates Stadium: “The move to Arsenal provides a great opportunity for me to gain experience in international competitions at a European top club.
“I have made this decision not against Koln but for this great opportunity and the good of my own individual development.
“This was not an easy decision for me at all, as Koln, our fans and the city are something special for me.
“I will always carry Koln in my heart. We need to pool our strengths now and have to be fully focussed on our survival in the Bundesliga.”
The striker, who has notched 43 goals in just 95 games for the Germain international side, spoke of his delight at joining Arsenal on the club's official website: "I’m so happy to be joining Arsenal and to play in the Premier League. Arsenal is one of the top clubs in Europe with a huge history.
"There are many top quality players at Arsenal and the style of football which the team plays is fantastic. I’m proud to become an Arsenal player and am looking forward to playing my first match at Emirates Stadium and doing my best for all the Arsenal fans."
Podolski will stay at Koln for the remainder of the campaign to help their ongoing fight against relegation before moving to England.


Source- http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/04/30/3070752/arsenal-sign-lukas-podolski

Bishop Oyedepo's Proposed Canaan City In Pictures

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from N 24,200,000 .

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Duplex Terrace - Price range from N 15,200,000 .

This unique double storey terrace houses consist of 4 bedrooms, a inter-locking space of living and dining area create dynamic and spacious feeling, with separate airy kitchen and drying yard. The façade of the houses is treated with clean straight lines. The distinctive porch for two cars provides an undulating flow through the overall development.

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AY SURVIVED CAR ACCIDENT

Popular comedian AY has survived a car crash in Abuja on Sunday. The accident happened when a 406 and Toyota Camry in which the comedian was in collided at the intersection between Thisday Dome and Nitel at the Central Business District Abuja. AY was just leaving the Hilton Abuja where he had performed at a church event

The comedian was unhurt in the accident.

Bukola Saraki, the former Nigerian governor and current senator accused of defrauding a defunct Nigerian bank of $133.5 million today said he will appear before the Police on Monday at 9:00 am. But the Police replied that he has already been declared wanted and cannot dictate when he will show up before them.  They have therefore asked the public for information on his whereabouts to enable them arrest him.
Senator Bukola Saraki was declared wanted by the Special Fraud Unit of the force earlier in the day. Mr. Saraki promised to appear before the unit to respond to the initial summons by the police. He had spurned previous invitations by the police by approaching a high court judge in Abuja, requesting an interim order of the court to prevent the police from arresting or interrogating him.
The judge did not grant the motion, instead he/she alerted the police.  But Mr. Saraki claimed the judge had given a temporary order barring the police from arresting or interrogating him. 
Last Thursday the federal judge handling the case, Justice Gladys Olotu, cleared the way for Mr. Saraki’s arrest by clarifying that there was no order of the court in place restraining the Nigerian police from carrying out its statutory duties.  As a last minute attempt to avoid arrest, Mr. Saraki's lawyers, led by Mr R.A Lawal Rabana, SAN, gave a press conference claiming that an ongoing court case was sufficient to deter the police from pursuing the senator case.
The police authorities responded today by issuing an arrest warrant and public notice declaring the Senator wanted.
Mr. Saraki's capitulation today is seen as the outcome of the tremendous pressure by the police to force him out of hiding.
Sources at the SFU revealed that they want the public to notify the police of Mr. Saraki's whereabouts so that he can be promptly arrested. "He just can't dictate to the police when he hopes to be arrested when he is already declared wanted", an SFU source stated.

Below is the full text of Senator Saraki's press release:
Abuja Nigeria- Today Senator Saraki received the report that despite the court proceeding that was adjourned by Honorable Justice Gladys Olotu on Thursday 26th of April 2012 officers of Special Fraud Unit have declared him wanted.
Senator Saraki had earlier established dialogue with the SFU of the Nigeria Police Force in response to their request to assist them in their ongoing investigations into a transaction between Intercontinental Bank and a company, Joy Petroleum. While he has no connection with the aforementioned company, Senator Saraki has consistently assured of his willingness to avail the investigative agency of any information they feel will assist their task, provided the agency furnishes him with the basis on which they want to keep inviting him as he had already gone through these procedures on numerous occasions previously.
Senator Saraki will like to remind the public he has not done anything wrong and was only exercising his constitutional rights by asking the court to intervene in defining whether the force was following the regular police procedure in line with the manner with which they are handling the investigation.
Senator Saraki assures Nigerians that he maintains that he has not contravened the laws of Nigeria, and while awaiting the decision of the Abuja High Court on May 22nd 2012, he will nonetheless be making himself available to assist the SFU at the appropriate office 9am Monday morning on 30th April 2012.

Explosion rocks Taraba State

Explosive have rock the TARABA state capital Jalingo. the attack was carried out by gun men and suicidal attackers. the convoy of commissioner of police was attacked first and after that the attackers attacked the ministry of finance in the state. Suicide bomber, dispatch rider and 8 others confirmed dead in the blast