Ligue One side Bordeaux have confirmed the signing of Mathieu Debuchy, on loan from Arsenal.
The Frenchman will move to the French side until the end of the season, with no future sign on fee agreed, meaning the Gunners will be free to keep or sell him at the end of the season when he returns to the club.
Debuchy signed for the Gunners in the summer of 2014 for a fee of around £10 million from Newcastle United but has seen his short Arsenal career halted by several serious injury problems.
Good luck to @MatDebuchy, who has joined Bordeaux on loan for the rest of the season. Story: https://t.co/QVbtOvtZYH pic.twitter.com/6SODsSRZ5v
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) February 1, 2016
After a bright start to the 2014/15 season, the 30-year-old was ruled out for three months after damaging his ankle ligaments against Manchester City in September. Debuchy returned in December but was ruled out for another three months in January after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Stoke.
It was during this second long-term injury to Debuchy that his backup, Hector Bellerin, put in a number of fine performances, effectively cementing himself as the club’s first-choice right back. The emergence of the 20-year-old has seen Debuchy’s playing time significantly reduced, making just two appearances in the Premier League for the Gunners this season.
This lack of playing time seems to have been the catalyst for Debuchy’s departure.
Debuchy’s move will come as a disappointment to Remi Garde, who had hoped to take him to Aston Villa.
However, with the move not quite sealed, Bordeaux swooped in on Deadline Day to take his services.
The move will delight Debuchy, as he hopes to gain more playing time and secure a position in France’s Euro 2016 squad next summer.
