January transfer window: Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin signs four-year contract with Valencia

Madrid: Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin joined Valencia on Thursday in a four year deal, the La Liga side announced.

“Valencia have reached an agreement with Arsenal Football Club on Thursday for the transfer of Francis Coquelin, who becomes a new black and white player until June 30, 2022,” the club said in a statement.

The 26-year-old Frenchman moves to Spain for an undisclosed fee with an €80 million (96.4 million dollars) buy-out clause attached to his new contract.

“I’m very happy, it’s a big challenge for me, I start a new life, but I’m very excited,” Coquelin told Valencia’s website, saying he had talked to coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.

“I spoke on the phone, we had a good contact, a good conversation, so I am very happy to be here today,” Coquelin said.

Coquelin joined Arsenal in 2008 and made 160 appearance for the club. Jack Wilshere’s return to the Arsenal team helped limit Coquelin to one Premier League appearance this season. He had been linked to West Ham and Crystal Palace as well as Valencia.

After leaving Coquelin out of Arsenal’s team for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg draw at Chelsea, Wenger confirmed: “He goes to Valencia. He didn’t get enough games for us this season. He had an opportunity and I let him go.”

🔴 160 appearances
🏆 2 FA Cups
👮 1 Columbo

Good luck at @valenciacf, Francis - and thanks for all you did for us 👊 pic.twitter.com/Tiwsw1nEF5

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) January 11, 2018