Koscielny leaves Arsenal after 9 seasons to join Bordeaux

Following a dispute with Arsenal that led to a preseason holdout, Laurent Koscielny finally engineered a move to Ligue 1 club Bordeaux, the Gunners confirmed Tuesday.

Arsenal will reportedly receive up to £4.6 million for the 33-year-old, according to the BBC's David Ornstein.

Koscielny, who had a year left on his contract, refused to take part in July's U.S. tour after Arsenal denied his request to leave on a free transfer.

The club reportedly wanted the 33-year-old to stay, but Koscielny had his heart set on a move back to his homeland.

It brings a bitter end to a profitable nine years together and leaves Arsenal with an even bigger hole in defense.

Koscielny arrived from Lorient in 2010 and went on to make 353 appearances for the north London outfit, winning the FA Cup in 2014, 2015, and 2017. He was also handed the captain's armband in 2018 following the retirement of Per Mertesacker.