Arsenal announce they have agreed to cancel the contract of defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos by mutual consent.
Sokratis joined the Gunners from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2018 for a fee of around £17m.
After enjoying a spell in the Arsenal backline, the Greek defender soon slipped down the pecking order at the club.
Sokratis found his opportunities limited last season and he was then left out of Mikel Arteta’s Europa League and Premier League squads for the current campaign.
The 32-year-old had six months left to run on his contract but has now left the club after agreeing to a mutual termination.
Arsenal’s technical director Edu said to the club’s website: “On behalf of Mikel, our coaches, players and everyone at the club, I would like to thank Papa for his contribution to the club.”
“He has been an important part of our group and has been a model professional throughout. The negotiations to end his contract have been collaborative and we wish Papa and his family well for the future.”
Sokratis made 69 appearances for Arsenal in total and won last season’s FA Cup in addition to reaching the 2019 Europa League final in Baku.
The defender is already attracting interest from a number of clubs, including Serie A side Genoa, Greek giants Olympiacos and La Liga outfit Real Betis.
The 32-year-old has become the second Arsenal player to leave the club by mutual consent this January after Mesut Ozil did the same and is already on his way to Fenerbahce.
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