20yo completes free transfer from Arsenal to Spain | OneFootball

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Daily Cannon

·6 August 2022

20yo completes free transfer from Arsenal to Spain

Article image:20yo completes free transfer from Arsenal to Spain

Former Arsenal academy left-back Joel Lopez has joined Spanish third-tier team Cultural Leonesa as a free agent after leaving the Gunners this summer.

Perhaps Arsenal’s most surprising free transfer departure this summer, Joel Lopez was one of a group of players released at the end of their contracts in June.

Charles Watts reported at the time that fellow Arsenal youngster Lino Sousa had made a big impression on the club staff since joining in January, suggesting that could have pushed the Gunners to let Lopez leave and free up opportunities in his place.


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Whatever the reasoning behind the decision not to extend the youngster’s deal, Lopez was left searching for a new club.

The defender has now completed a move to third-tier Spanish side Cultural Leonesa, signing on a one-year deal with an option to extend by a further year.

Writing on Instagram, Lopez said: “Happy to be here this year. So nice. Let’s go Cultural!”

Dropping down the divisions will presumably give Lopez an opportunity to break into senior football on a regular basis, and he’ll hope that will help him climb back up to the top tier.

Lopez scored two goals and assisted five from left-back last season, a solid return including a goal against Premier League 2 title winners Manchester City and an assist as Arsenal knocked Chelsea out of the EFL Trophy.

Yet he ultimately struggled to break into the Arsenal first-team, and a move to a club that can offer him those first-team opportunities is probably best for all parties.

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