Former Arsenal midfielder FRANCIS COQUELIN has joined Villarreal from fellow Spanish side Valencia for eight million Euros on a four-year deal.

COQUELIN was part of the Valencia team that finished ninth in La Liga after a miserable season for the club, during which supporters grew increasingly disillusioned with the ownership of Singaporean businessman PETER LIM.

His new club Villarreal will feature in next season’s UEFA Europa League under the guidance of former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain coach UNAI EMERY.