23yo sends message to Arsenal after leaving for Bundesliga | OneFootball

Jordi Osei-Tutu has sent a message to Arsenal and the fans following his free transfer to VfL Bochum this week.

Seven years after his move from Reading to Arsenal as a 16-year-old, Jordi Osei-Tutu has moved on from the club to rejoin his former loan side VfL Bochum on a permanent basis.

Bochum report that the transfer is a free transfer, even though Osei-Tutu had a year left on his Arsenal contract.

Given the player’s struggles with injury in the last few years, it was always going to be difficult finding a club willing to risk investing a fee on him.

For Osei-Tutu, the move is a fresh start, and a return to the club where he had his most successful loan spell.

Another positive is that Bochum have since been promoted to the Bundesliga, so he’ll make his comeback to the country in a higher tier than when he left.

It’s a big step after so many years either playing for the Arsenal academy, or out on loan with the safety net of his parent club. Osei-Tutu won’t have anything to fall back on now, but he has the chance to forge his own path after a while spent in limbo.

The former Arsenal 23-year-old sent a message to his old club on Instagram after confirming his departure.

“I am privileged to be able to say I wore the Arsenal shirt,” Osei-Tutu said. “The last 7 years have been a priceless experience. I will forever be grateful for all the experience and insight gained from the various managers and coaches I have worked under.

“And I would also like to thank the Arsenal fans who have always been supportive. Thank you, Arsenal, you will always be in my heart. North London Is Red.”