Skipper Koscielny leaves Arsenal to join Bordeaux
Koscielny, who had a year left on his contract, refused to travel with the squad for their pre-season tour to the United States, to the club’s disappointment.
Arsenal skipper Laurent Koscielny will end his nine-year spell in north London and join French Ligue 1 side Girondins Bordeaux for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club said on Tuesday.
The 33-year-old French centre back, who joined from Lorient, made more than 350 appearances for Arsenal and was part of their FA Cup-winning squads in 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Financial details were not disclosed, but British media said Bordeaux would pay up to 5 million pounds for Koscielny, who was also a target for Olympique Lyonnais.
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"Laurent Koscielny is leaving us to join... Bordeaux. We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future," Arsenal said in a brief statement here on their website.
Koscielny, who had a year left on his contract, refused to travel with the squad for their pre-season tour to the United States, to the club’s disappointment.
His departure is a blow to manager Unai Emery, who must look to reinforce the defence as Arsenal look to improve on their fifth-place finish last season.
British media have linked them with a move for RB Leipzig’s Dayot Upamecano and Daniele Rugani from Juventus.
Arsenal begin the new campaign with a trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.
