Former Chelsea midfielder Willian has left Arsenal after agreeing to terminate the remaining two years of his contract and is set to sign for boyhood club Corinthians.
The 33-year-old spent just a year with the Gunners after signing a three-year deal when he joined on a free transfer from Chelsea last summer.
He struggled to make an impact with Mikel Arteta’s side, scoring just once in 38 appearances.
Seeking to move on, the winger has agreed to forego the wages he was owed for the final two years of his contract and become a free agent.
A statement by Arsenal read: “We have reached a mutual agreement with Willian to terminate his contract effective from today.
“The Brazil international joined us from Chelsea last August and made 38 appearances during the 2020-21 campaign.
“He had two more years to run on his contract but following positive and constructive recent discussions with him and his team, he will be leaving for a new opportunity with Corinthians in Brazil, where he began his career.
“Everyone at Arsenal wishes Willian and his family well for the future.”
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Following his departure to Corinthians, Willian took to social media to explain his decision to leave Arsenal while also denying that he joined for financial reasons.
“I would like to thank Arsenal for the opportunity they have given to me and for the warm welcome received by everybody at the club,” he said.
“Unfortunately things on the pitch didn’t go the way we had all planned and hoped. I received a lot of criticism, especially from some members of the press, that I had come here for financial reasons. I hope with my actions today explain to those people and they now understand that was not the case.
“I hope it teaches some people that they should not be so quick to pass judgement on create bad environments to make themselves important, even though I accept that’s part of the game.
“All my career I have done everything to be the best I can be. I always want to win and I find it hard to accept not doing so. Unfortunately it didn’t happen for me at Arsenal and I am sorry about that.
“I came to England in 2013 and I have enjoyed every minute of my time here. I want to thank everyone who had helped me along the way to play in this wonderful league that is full of heart and spirit.”
Arsenal have been looking to move several players on to reduce what is a bloated squad after spending around £130 million on incomings this summer.
The North London club have signed Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Ben White, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Ramsdale this summer in a bid to refresh the squad and compete for trophies.
By agreeing to a contract termination, Willian saves Arsenal a considerable financial headache, with the winger earning around £150,000 a week in north London.
On moving to Corinthians, Willian returns to the club where he began his career in 2006, before he moved to Europe with Shakhtar Donetsk the following year.
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