Former Arsenal France international defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin joins Nantes on a free transfer..

Nantes announced on its official website on Saturday that former Arsenal France international defensive midfielder Francis Coquelin has joined the club as a free agent.

According to the Ligue 1 club’s official statement, Coquelin has signed on a short-term deal with the club which will only run until the end of the season. At the same time, he will also wear the No. 13 jersey.

About Francis Coquelin

Francis Coquelin, 33, was born in Laval, France on May 13, 1991. He is 1.76 meters tall and plays as a defensive midfielder. He has Reunion ancestry.

Coquelin played for the youth academy of his hometown club Laval when he was a child. He joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2008 and made his Arsenal first-team debut by coming on as a substitute in September of the same year.

During his 9-and-a-half-year spell with the Gunners, Coquelin won the English FA Cup twice and the English Community Shield once with the Premier League giants.

During this spell, he was also loaned-out to Lorient, Freiburg and Charlton Athletic.

In January 2018, Coquelin joined Valencia for €14 million.

During his two-year spell with Los che, Coquelin won the Copa Del Rey once with the club.

In August 2020, Coquelin moved to Villarreal for €14 million. After leaving the club in the summer of 2024, he did not find a new club.

During his four-year spell with El Submarino Amarillo, Coquelin played 107 times for the La Liga powerhouse in all competitions, scored 6 goals, assisted 3 times, and won the UEFA Europa League once with the club.