Arsenal have sold defender Laurent Koscielny to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux for a fee of up to £4.6m.

The 33 year old Frenchman had a year left on his contract at Emirates Stadium and the Gunners wanted him to stay.

But he asked for a free transfer and refused to travel on a pre-season tour of the United States.

"We decided to sanction his move to Bordeaux once we agreed acceptable transfer terms," Arsenal said in a statement.

"We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future."