Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley has joined Swansea on a three-year deal, the Swans announced Thursday on Twitter.

The 21-year-old center back's move to south Wales is believed to be for a fee of 1 million pounds ($1.57 million).

"Swansea deal complete. Very happy. Was an extremely tough decision for me to leave Arsenal, but felt time was right," Bartley wrote on Twitter account. "Swansea offered me an opportunity. And I'm extremely excited to start my career here, will always be thankful to Arsenal for my education.

"Was the toughest decision of my life. But it is a permanent deal. And now I'm raring to go with Swansea."

Bartley began his career with Bolton but made the switch to the Gunners in 2007.

He signed a new contract at the Emirates Stadium last summer and spent the season on loan at Rangers after a previous short spell at Ibrox. But he was limited to 19 appearances because of a hernia problem.

He will be hoping his move to Swansea allows him the chance to gain regular first-team football after making just one appearance for Arsenal.

He becomes Michael Laudrup's fifth summer signing following the arrivals of Michu, Chico Flores, Jonathan de Guzman and Itay Schechter.

Meanwhile, Scott Sinclair has told Laudrup he will not sign a new contract.

The 23-year-old winger is out of contract at the end of this season and reports have linked him with a move to Premier League champions Manchester City.

"You never know what will happen tomorrow or the day after but there is no point arguing about it, we have to get on with it," Laudrup said. "Until August 31 anything can happen. Of course there is interest from a big club in Scott but the only thing I care about in the short term is that it does not affect him for Saturday."

Sinclair scored eight goals last season as Swansea finished 11th in the Premier League. He scored 27 times the season before and netted a hat-trick in the play-off final win over Reading at Wembley.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also being linked with moves for Neil Taylor and Ashley Williams respectively.

"It will be a problem if we suddenly lose four or five players," Laudrup said. "If it's two or one it is okay, but if you are talking about seven into the first 11 you will need time to adjust."

Information from Press Association was used in this report.