Hamburger SV have signed Johan Djourou from Arsenal on a permanent deal.
The 27-year-old Swiss international joined the Bundesliga club on loan in the summer.
They have now brought Djourou to the Imtech Arena on a contract that is believed to run until 2016.
"I am happy that he's staying with us for the next few years as he's a stabilising influence at the centre of our defence," manager Mirko Slomka is quoted as saying by Sky Sports News.
Djourou signed his first professional deal with Arsenal in 2004 after spending two years in the club's youth academy.