Villarreal agree two-year deal with Pires

Arsenal's French midfielder Robert Pires has agreed a two-year deal with Villarreal, the Primera Liga club said yesterday. Pires is Villarreal's second major signing after they secured Real Sociedad's Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci last week. The...

Arsenal's French midfielder Robert Pires has agreed a two-year deal with Villarreal, the Primera Liga club said yesterday.

Pires is Villarreal's second major signing after they secured Real Sociedad's Turkish striker Nihat Kahveci last week.

The 32-year-old international's contract with Arsenal expired at the end of the season, ending a six-year stint with Arsene Wenger's side in which they won two league titles and two FA Cups.

He was voted the Football Writers' Player of the Year in England in 2002 and, although not selected for the World Cup in Germany, won winners medals with France in the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000.

Wenger told the Arsenal website: "Robert has had six tremendous years with us and made a huge contribution to the team's success during his time here. I wish him well in his career."

The Londoners had offered the former Marseille player a one-year contract extension.

Pires's official presentation will be on July 2 or 3.

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