London  - Arsenal have appointed Major League Soccer deputy commissioner Ivan Gazidis as their new chief executive, the English Premier League club announced on Wednesday.

Gazidid, 44, will take up his post in January and is expected to take over many of the duties previously handled by former vice-chairman David Dein, who left the club last year.

"Ivan's credentials are first class," said club chairman, Peter Hill-Wood.

"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."

The Oxford graduate Gazidis, who was born in South Africa, has worked in football in the US for 14 years.

"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," he 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.

"I relish the prospect of working with the key stakeholders to further propel the club forward. It is nearly 15 years since I left the UK but I'm very much looking forward to returning in January," he said. (dpa)