LONDON - ARSENAL announced the appointment of outgoing Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis as chief executive on Wednesday.

Arsenal hired the 44-year-old Gazidis to handle duties such as transfer and contract negotiations, filling a gap left when David Dein quit as vice chairman last year. Gazidis will start work in January.

'I have been privileged in my 14 years with MLS to have worked with and for some of the best sports executives and owners in the world, whose vision, commitment and expertise have taken the league from strength to strength and provided a solid platform for its future growth,' Gazidis said.

'I am delighted to be offered the opportunity to bring that experience to bear at Arsenal - a club rich in heritage and tradition, that is superbly positioned for success in the modern era.' Long seen as one of England's most traditional clubs, Arsenal is a Champions League regular and moved into a new stadium just two years ago.

'Ivan's credentials are first class,' chairman Peter Hill-Wood said. 'It is evident that he has a wealth of business acumen together with a broad knowledge of football that will not only help to maintain Arsenal's pre-eminent standing but enhance our reputation within the football community and international commercial markets.' -- AP