Sporting CP have announced the signing of Arsenal attacker Joel Campbell on a season-long loan deal.
The Costa Rican international will spend the rest of the season with the Primeira Liga runners-up, but the Portuguese club doesn’t have an option to make the move permanent next summer.
The 24-year-old, who can play on either wing an up front, joined Arsenal in 2011 from Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa and has since spent time on loan at Lorient, Real Betis, Olympiacos and Villarreal.
Campbell will now hope to establish himself in Jorge Jesus’ first-team plans and help his new team win the Portuguese title for the first time since 2002.
The attacker, who scored 4 goals in 30 appearances for Arsenal last season, will also be able to play in this season’s Champions League.
He enjoyed a good 2015/16 campaign in Arsenal’s first team, but has now decided to continue his career in one of Portugal’s biggest clubs.
He got more than enough chances to play last season, but his reported desire to be a regular starter has probably been his main motivation behind his move to the Portuguese capital.
Wenger’s decision to let Campbell leave the club this summer is likely to be met with criticism from the Arsenal fans as they want to see their club spend some money on a new striker and centre-back instead of allowing the departure of talented first-team players.
