Francis Coquelin returns to Laval after 18 years, aiming to finish well | OneFootball

Francis Coquelin, 35, has rejoined boyhood club Laval 18 years after leaving for Arsenal, returning to discover Ligue 2 and to close the circle on his career. According to L'Équipe, the former Arsenal and Villarreal midfielder has gone back to his hometown club with clear ambitions for his final chapter.

He previously played at Francis-Le Basser only with the reserves as a teenager, and he now relishes representing family, friends and supporters who have long backed him. A Europa League winner with Villarreal in 2021, he sees coming home as a meaningful end point.

Former team-mate Anthony Gonçalves remembers shielding a precocious Coquelin in the reserves when he was 15 or 16, such was his talent. He also describes him as a top character beyond the footballer.

Coquelin intends to bring leadership and know-how to a youthful squad, while contributing on the pitch. He regards Laval as his last club and felt, after 18 years away, that this was the right time to return and finish well.

Ligue 2 is new to him, so he approaches it with humility, noting the depth of competition and the number of promotion contenders. That includes Nantes, his most recent club, to whom he wishes the best, although on Friday at 20:45 his focus is taking three points against them.

Source: L'Équipe

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