Skip to main content

St-Etienne bid farewell to Arsenal loanee William Saliba but door stays open for potential return


The defender's time with the Ligue 1 club has drawn to a close after a successful loan spell in France.

St-Etienne have bid farewell to William Saliba, confirming the defender's departure for Arsenal as one coach opened the door to a potential return for the player.

The teenage centre-half spent this season on loan at his boyhood club after signing for the Gunners last summer.

There were hopes he would make one final appearance for St-Etienne in next weekend's French Cup final against PSG but a falling out between the two clubs has prevented that.

Les Verts claimed Arsenal had been guilty of 'imposing absolutely unacceptable sports and financial conditions' but the Gunners hit back, claiming they had merely asked that the French side let Saliba follow a specially designed fitness programme following injury and the coronavirus break.

Relations between Saliba and St-Etienne seem a little more cordial, however, with the club posting a farewell message to the player on Twitter.

In the video, captioned "William, your Green family wishes you all the best for the rest of your career", different St-Etienne players - including former Gunners defender Mathieu Debuchy - and coaching staff hold up four fingers in honour of the 19-year-old's squad number.

They then send various good luck messages in French, wishing him well for his move to the Gunners.

One member of Le Verts' coaching staff praised the defender as an example for other young players and said he will always be welcome back at the club.

It comes after Saliba penned an emotional farewell message to St-Etienne last week.

He wrote: "It is time for me to say goodbye to you with great emotion and sadness, and above all to thank you, the Greens, for all these wonderful years that I spent from my arrival at the training center to the professional world.

"I want to thank all the coaches that I have had, who have made me progress and grow as a player and as a man. I would also like to thank all the club staff who work for our well-being on a daily basis.

"And of course I thank from the bottom of my heart all the wonderful supporters who have always believed in me.

"Finally, I would like to thank all my teammates with whom I was able to learn and share wonderful moments. I’m going to miss this beautiful cauldron that I’m not about to forget. Saint-Etienne is my city and I will always have a Green Heart.

READ ALSO: Why I Didn’t Attend University – BBNaija 2020 Contestant, Vee Reveals
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

55-Year-Old Man Arrested For Defiling Neighbor’s 10-Year-Old Girl

A 55-year old man, Jonas Obuobi, has landed in trouble in Lagos after he was reportedly caught engaging his neighbour’s 10-year old girl in sex and was arrested. The incident happened at Etimagu Street, Bariga area of Lagos where they reside. Police sources alleged that the suspect, Jonas, lured the victim into his apartment where he confused her, removed her pant and eventually defiled her in the process. However, while in the act, their neighbours caught him and the matter was reported to the Police who arrested and handed him to the Gender Section of the Command, Ikeja, Lagos for further investigation. During investigation, he denied raping her but reportedly saying that he did not force her into the act.However, the Police found him culpable because of the age of the victim and later charged him before the Ogba Magistrates Court for the alleged offence. The Court did not take his plea after the prosecutor, Mr. Christopher John, asked the Court to refer the matter to t...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNSATISFIED Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Sarcastically Responds To 87-Rated FIFA 21 Card As Arsenal Talisman Receives Same Rating As Last Year

It’s safe to say Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang isn’t very happy about his FIFA 21 rating. The Gunners’ talisman has been handed an 87 rating for the new edition of the game – the same rating he was in FIFA 19. And the Gabon international has sarcastically responded to his card with a laughing face emoji. Aubameyang had another superb season for the Gunners, hitting 22 Premier League goals for Mikel Arteta’s side – the same he managed last year. However, the 31-year-old played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph, netting a brace against Chelsea to seal a first trophy in management for Arteta. Meanwhile, it is understood Aubameyang will ‘imminently’ sign a new three-year contract at the Emirates. It is understood he will become the club’s highest earner on his new deal, surpassing Mesut Ozil’s reported £350,000-a-week wages. The report adds Arteta has been integral in talks to keep the 31-year-old striker in north London. Former Arsenal head of football Raul Sanllehi is believed to ha...
Post a Comment
Read more

New York-based Nigerian Doctor Tests Positive For Coronavirus

A young Nigerian doctor based in New York, United States, Damilola Odutola, has tested positive for Coronavirus. He made the announcement in a video on his Instagram page on Saturday, encouraging people to take more caution and protect themselves. He said, “Today I tested positive for COVID. Last week I had quite serious symptoms that only a few know about; but I’m out of it now. “Thanks to my friends and family for your prayers, messages and care. We will all overcome this, I’m praying for me and my colleagues here in NYC for protection and for those that think it’s a joke. “Please stay at home and help flatten the curve.”
Post a Comment
Read more