Former Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny has announced retirement from football with immediate effect.
Koscielny signed for Bordeaux in the summer of 2019 from Arsenal having made 353 appearances, scoring 27 goals and winning two FA Cups with the Gunners.
“Laurent Koscielny intends to specify that he has decided to hang up his crampons when he would have preferred to help the club on the ground,” a statement read.
“Aware that the club was in difficulty, he accepted the proposal made to occupy a new function and to release a salary proof of the concern he has for the best interests of the club. As such, he would like to thank the club for the mark of confidence shown in him by entrusting him with this position. This mission is the extension of a career that has won the respect of all of its partners, coaches and staff he has worked with both in the club and in the France team. Laurent Koscielny also shares the club’s position, which recalled in its press release that “no document aimed at supporting these allegations has been brought to the attention of the Club, which in principle intends to exercise the greatest caution”
Koscielny and goalkeeper Benoît Costil were accused of racism however the former Arsenal defender rejected the claims before announcing retirement.
See also: Koscielny explains reasons why he ditched Arsenal
