Transfer Centre

Laurent Koscielny 'to retire at Arsenal or Lorient'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 23 November 2016

Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny says that he wants to retire from professional football at the Emirates Stadium or former team Lorient.

Laurent Koscielny has revealed that he will retire from professional football at either current club Arsenal or French side Lorient, where he started his career.

At the weekend, it was reported that the France centre-back was close to signing a new three-year contract with Arsenal, which would take him to the age of 34.

The experienced defender has hinted that a contract renewal is close to being agreed, but has claimed that he could still leave Arsenal and retire at first club Lorient.

"It was Arsene Wenger who had the courage to buy me from Lorient when I was nobody. I'd had one year at an average club in Ligue 1 and he took a big punt in bringing me to one of the 10 biggest clubs in Europe," Koscielny told reporters.

"I am in the French national team thanks to the boss and I will be grateful to him my entire career. I will finish my career in England or at my old club Lorient but I love living in London.

"I was 24 when I arrived in England and I had never lived in a big town, so it was a big step into the unknown for me. But my family is happy, the people are calmer than in Paris and there is more respect."

Koscielny has made 262 appearances for Arsenal, scoring 22 times in the process.