Last updated on .From the section European Football

Laurent Koscielny joined Arsenal in 2010 and made more than 300 appearances for the north London club

Arsenal have sold defender Laurent Koscielny to Ligue 1 side Bordeaux for a fee of up to 5m euros (£4.6m).

The 33-year-old centre-back had a medical on Tuesday and has returned to France after nine years with the Premier League club.

Frenchman Koscielny had a year left on his contract at Emirates Stadium and the Gunners wanted him to stay.

But he asked for a free transfer and refused to travel on a pre-season tour of the United States.

"We decided to sanction his move to Bordeaux once we agreed acceptable transfer terms," Arsenal said in a statement.

"We thank Laurent for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best for the future."

Former France international Koscielny rejected a new Gunners contract that he felt undervalued his contribution and continued ability.

Arsenal began disciplinary proceedings and instructed the captain to train with the under-23s, but offered him a way back into the first-team squad for the new season.

However, Koscielny had no intention of reversing his decision and was determined to secure a move to his home country.

Talks also took place with Bordeaux's Ligue 1 rivals Rennes.

Arsenal hope to sign a new centre-back before the Premier League's transfer deadline at 17:00 BST on Thursday, while they retain an interest in Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney despite the 22-year-old Scotland international being injured.

The Gunners are also in advanced talks over the sale of English right-back Carl Jenkinson, 27, to Championship side Nottingham Forest.

However, Arsenal have received no firm offers for defender Shkodran Mustafi and attempts to move the 27-year-old German on are further complicated by his desire to stay.

But foreign clubs have longer to negotiate a deal, depending on when their transfer windows close.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.