Arsenal head groundsman Paul Burgess left the club this week to take up a similar role with Real Madrid. He joined the Gunners in 1996 and took over previous incumbent Steve Braddock s duties at Highbury in 2000, winning the Premier League Groundsman of t

Arsenal head groundsman Paul Burgess left the club this week to take up a similar role with Real Madrid.

He joined the Gunners in 1996 and took over previous incumbent Steve Braddock's duties at Highbury in 2000, winning the Premier League Groundsman of the Year award three times and overseeing the laying of the new pitch at Emirates.

"I wasn't looking to leave Arsenal but I always said one day I'd like to work for one of the big teams on the continent," said Burgess, 31.

His assistant, Paul Ashcroft, took over as new Head Groundsman immediately after last Saturday's game with Fulham.

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