Francis Coquelin leaves Arsenal for Spain
Francis Coquelin has had limited opportunities at Arsenal this season
Francis Coquelin has agreed to join LaLiga side Valencia on a four-and-a-half-year contract following a decade with Arsenal, the Spanish club announced on Thursday.
Coquelin, 26, arrived at Arsenal from French side Laval in 2008 and went on to make 160 first-team appearances.
The combative midfielder spent several loan spells away from the Gunners before establishing himself as an integral part of a Arsene Wenger side which won the FA Cup in both 2015 and 2017.
Coquelin, who is yet to make a senior appearance for the France national team, will be presented by Valencia at 1615 UK time this afternoon.
His deal at the Mestalla runs until the end of June 2022 and contains a buy-out clause of 80 million euros (£71million), Valencia revealed on their official website.
The Frenchman is reported to have cost Marcelino's Los Che - currently third in LaLiga - £12million after making only seven Premier League starts for the Gunners this season.
Speaking after the goalless draw at Chelsea on Wednesday night, Arsenal boss Wenger said: "He goes to Valencia. He didn't get enough games with us this season.
"He had an opportunity. I let him go."
