Arsenal Captain Joins French Team Bordeaux
Arsenal have confirmed the departure of club captain Laurent Koscielny to French team Bordeaux for £4.6M.
Laurent Koscielny brought his Arsenal career to an end after a nasty summer where he refused to travel to the United States for Arsenal preseason games as he was desperate to make a move.
The Frenchman felt his ability and contributions were not valued at the team thereby making him reject a new contract.
Koscielny had thought his 9 years stay at Arsenal is enough to make the club and team coach Unai Emery allow him depart on a free transfer even though he had a year left on his contract but things did not turned out that way.
Laurent Koscielny was formally made the team captain just last season when Metersacker retired.
When he forced a move, Arsenal started disciplinary proceedings and made the captain train with the team under 23s but offered a way back to the team ahead of next season.
But Koscielny wasn't going to go back on his decision as he looks to secure a move to his home country.
He had now had his medical at Bordeaux today and the club has officially made a statement about his transfer on their official website.
Laurent Koscielny is leaving us to join Ligue 1 side Bordeaux.
We decided to sanction his move to Bordeaux once we agreed acceptable transfer terms," Arsenal said in a statement.
"We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future."
Laurent Koscielny who started his playing career at Guingamp a second division French team in 2004 pulled the curtain on his Arsenal career in which he made 353 appearances for the gunners since he joined in 2010 and was integral to the team winning 3 FA cup titles under Arsene Wenger.