Nicolas Pepe has signed for Villarreal on a free transfer after leaving Trabzonspor in Turkey. The winger has signed a two-year contract till 2026 with the LaLiga club.
This past season, the 29-year-old scored six goals and provided three assists in 23 games across all competitions for Trabzonspor. And now, he is back in one of Europe’s top five leagues to start a new chapter.
Nicolas Pepe returns to Europe after Trabzonspor spell
🚨🟡 Nicolas Pépé has signed in as new Villarreal player on free transfer!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 4, 2024
Former Arsenal and Trabzonspor winger joins La Liga side for new chapter in Spain. pic.twitter.com/1ESjdmsdC0
The Ivorian was once the record signing for Arsenal, with the Gunners spending €70 million on the right-winger. However, he wasn’t quite able to live up to his price tag in North London. He scored 27 goals and provided 21 assists in 112 games for the club before being loaned to Nice in 2022.
Last summer, his contract with Arsenal finally expired and he joined Trabzonspor to try a new experience. Things went fairly well for the right winger and it now remains to be seen how he adapts to his new surroundings in Spain.
Villarreal will need to sign a new striker after losing their top scorer Alexander Sorloth to Atletico Madrid. They have also sold goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen to Chelsea in a deal worth up to €25 million.
Where did Villarreal finish in 23-24?
8th place
