Arsenal have signed teenage Bolivian midfielder Samuel Galindo from Real America for an undisclosed fee.

Manager Arsene Wenger intends to send the 17-year-old out on loan - as he once did with Mexican Carlos Vela - when the Bolivian arrives at Arsenal.

Wenger said: "Galindo has good technique. He's intelligent, 6ft 2in tall, left-footed with good stamina."He is a central midfielder who can give good balls. He has good vision too which we like here."

Galindo was thought to have been close to a move to Everton in December but opted for the Gunners following a trial.

"It's true that he was at Everton but he was offered to come to me on trial," said Wenger. "I said yes, I liked what I saw and I signed him."

Wenger expects Galindo to spend a spell away from England before his Arsenal career begins, adding: "I'm looking to send him out on loan, We have a few clubs in mind."

Vela had loan spells with Osasuna and Salamanca, while another promising youngster Fran Merida spent time on loan with Real Sociedad.