Nicolas Pepe, a £72m loser to Arsenal, is finally leaving on a free transfer after four disappointing years.

Nicolas Pepe became Arsenal's record signing in 2019 but was loaned out after a dip in form he was dropped from manager Mikel Arteta's starting line. Photo: Getty Images/James Williamson

Nicolas Pepe has confirmed his move to Trabzonspor after Arsenal agreed to write off the £72m they paid for the Ivory Coast striker and allow one of their worst players leave as free agents.

Pepe, 28, became a club record signing when he arrived from French club Lille in 2019 but has struggled to make it in the Premier League and was loaned back to Ligue 1 with Nice last season.< /p>

He confirmed joining Trabzonspor after flying to Turkey, passing a medical examination and formalities of a permanent contract. Arsenal agreed to terminate his contract after one season and allow him to join on a free transfer.

Declan Rice arrived at the Emirates in the summer to finally break Pepe's transfer record at the club, joining from West Ham for £105 million. But the player from whom he took the record quickly retired after an unsuccessful four years in north London.

His first season at the club, which was hit by the Covid shutdown, ended with just five games in the Premier League. goals. He fared better in his second campaign, scoring double figures in all competitions to finish the season strongly.

But a decline in form saw him dropped from Mikel Arteta's starting line-up and he was eventually loaned out. . The move to Turkey represents a fresh start for the French-born striker, who has stated his goal is to win trophies with his new club.

“Very excited to come to this footballing country. A new challenge for me, I am looking forward to returning to the field and taking Trabzonspor to the top of the league with the team,” he wrote on his social networks.

Trabzonspor was last in the Europa League. season, losing in the Champions League playoffs, but this time not in Europe.