Arsenal [ Images ] midfielder Mathieu Flamini will join AC Milan [ Images ] on a four-year deal, the Serie A club said on Monday. The 24-year-old Frenchman, who signed for Arsenal from Olympique Marseille [ Images ] in 2004, will move on a free transfer with his contract at the Premier League club soon expiring.

A statement on the club Web site (www.acmilan.com) said Flamini, who underwent a medical on Monday, would join on July 1 with the deal running out on June 30, 2012.

"I am very happy, thank you very much," he told reporters.

The hard-working midfielder, who played as a emergency left back in Arsenal's run to the Champions League [ Images ] final in 2006, was also courted by Juventus [ Images ].

Milan chief executive Adriano Galliani denied Flamini has been recruited to replace Italy [ Images ] international Gennaro Gattuso [ Images ], who said last week he was considering his future and would like to play in England [ Images ].

"He is not here to replace Gattuso. He can play across the midfield," Galliani told reporters.