Arsenal release Sokratis Papastathopoulos by mutual consent

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Arsenal have announced that they have come to an agreement with Greece international defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos.

The 32-year-old had not featured in Mikel Arteta’s plans this season and did not make a single first-team appearance.

Sokratis becomes the second player the Gunners have released in January, with Mesut Ozil on the brink of joining Fenerbahce following a long-running feud with the club.

In a statement released by the club, technical director Edu said: “On behalf of Mikel, our coaches, players and everyone at the club, I would like to thank Papa for his contribution to the club.

“Sokratis 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.”

Over the course of his two-and-a-half year stay at Arsenal, Sokratis, who arrived at the club from Brorussia Dortmund for a fee around the £15 million mark, made 69 appearances for the club.

He featured as part of the squad that won the FA Cup in August and was a prominent member of the team that made a run to the Europa League final of 2019.

Sokratis, who is now a free agent, has previously enjoyed spells with AEK Athens, Genoa, AC Milan, Werder Bremen and Dortmund.

Moreover, the centre-back has featured 90 times for Greece and has scored three goals in those encounters.