Player Arsenal just sold is already a fan favourite at his new club

Fabio Vieira left Arsenal this summer for Hamburg on a permanent deal.

His £8.5million switch to the Bundesliga marked the end of a frustrating four-year spell at the Emirates that never quite delivered on its promise.

In fact, it’s comfortably among Mikel Arteta’s worst signings.

But at Hamburg, things couldn’t be more different for Vieira.

According to Bergedorfer Zeitung — a German news outlet covering the region of Hamburger — Vieira has already become something of a cult hero at the Volksparkstadion.

When he came on as a substitute in Hamburg’s most recent game against Mainz, he was met with an enthusiastic roar from the home crowd. He couldn’t impact the game, mind, which was a disastrous 5-0 defeat.

But Vieira’s shirt sales are said to be ‘flying’. Hamburg had sold 2,500 shirts with Vieira’s name on the back within the first few days of signing.

That’s almost twice as many as were sold for Luka Vuskovic at the same stage last season, and Vuskovic was himself considered one of the club’s most popular signings.

Of course, Hamburg fans already know what Vieira can do on his day. He spent last season on loan at the club, scoring seven goals and contributing five assists in all competitions and playing a key role in their Bundesliga campaign.

They clearly like the player, and his permanent return this summer was long anticipated and wanted by all parties.

Arsenal initially held out for more money, wanting closer to £17million, but Hamburg waited it out, held their nerve and eventually got their man for half the price.

Vieira was a disaster for Arsenal, ultimately, but hopefully he kicks on in Germany, because he clearly has so much talent. It just needs to be unlocked in the right environment, and the physical nature of the Premier League wasn’t that.