He's back! Hatem Ben Arfa is returning to Ligue 1 Uber Eats with Bordeaux, the 33-year-old forward signing a one-year deal, with an option for another year, on Wednesday.
Hatem Ben Arfa, a free agent after a 6-month stint with La Liga outfit Valladolid, has signed on with to the Girondins de Bordeaux - his sixth club in Ligue 1 Uber Eats, announced Wednesday the Bordeaux club.
The 33-year-old attacking midfielder had a complicated season 2019-20. Without a club for six months following his departure from Stade Rennais FC in June 2019, he tried to bounce back last winter at Valladolid (ESP), but made just five appearances five matches, the last on 7 July against Valencia.
Priority: A return to Ligue 1 Uber Eats
The France international (15 caps) will have his first training session on Thursday morning before being presented to the fans at the Matmut ATLANTIQUE. Ben Arfa, who has played for OL, OM, OGC Nice, PSG and Rennes, as well as Newcastle and Hull in the Premier League, received several offers from overseas clubs this summer but favoured a return to Ligue 1 Uber Eats.
The native of Clamart was especially keen to work with Jean-Louis Gasset - whom he met while on duty with the French national team when the Bordeaux coach was assistant to Laurent Blanc (2010-2012) - even though it meant accepting a salary cut.
Christmas comes early for Gasset
Questioned ten days ago on the Ben Arfa case, Gasset declared: "Any good player is a good idea to sign. But I'm not going to believe in Santa Claus at my age. Hatem Ben Arfa is a creator, a football genius. If it's possible... but frankly I don't know".
Ben Arfa's arrival is the first in season 2020-21 for Les Girondins, who had not made a single signing during the long summer transfer window that shut on 5 October.
