ContinueArsenal have this evening confirmed the departure of Mexican forward Carlos Vela, who has joined Spanish side Real Sociedad for an undisclosed fee.
The 23-year-old spent last season on loan with the Spanish club, where Vela enjoyed a relatively successful spell in La Liga, netting 12 goals in 35 appearances.
Although officially signed in 2005, Vela had spells on loan in Spain with Salamanca and Osasuna prior to his Arsenal debut, due to the lack of an English work permit. Upon making his debut, Vela burst on the scene with an array of exhilarating performances and superb goals, and continued to feature in Arsenal’s first team throughout the 2008/09 season.
His progress at the Emirates was delayed due to injuries during the 2009/10 season, and found himself out on loan once again – this time at West Brom Albion- in the second half of the season in order to rediscover the eye-catching form that won him so much praise during the start of his Arsenal career.
Vela, who scored 11 times in 62 games for the Gunners returned for his third spell in Spain with Real Sociedad last season. “Everyone at the Club would like to thank Carlos for his contribution to the club and wish him well for his future career,” a statement from the official Arsenal website read.
