Nicolas Pepe has completed a move to Villarreal as a new chapter begins for the former Arsenal winger.
Pepe has scored himself a deal with Spanish side Villarreal, signing a two-year contract and signing as a free agent following a short year in Turkey with Trabzonspor.
The 29-year-old scored five goals in 19 appearances in Turkey and will be hoping to push on after a disastrous spell at Arsenal.
Bagging a move back into one of Europe’s top five leagues, Pepe has an opportunity to prove himself once again at a high level.
His £72 million ($92m) move to Arsenal may not have worked out for either party, but he is clearly still a talented player with a lot left to give.
Despite being regarded as a failure during his time at Arsenal, Pepe still clocked 112 appearances for the Gunners and recorded 48 goal contributions. He has also scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for the Ivory Coast.
Following his official unveiling, Pepe will get straight to work with Villarreal. The La Liga outfit still have to play Borussia Dortmund and Brighton before they kick off their domestic campaign against Atletico Madrid on 19 August.
Van Nistelrooy reveals most valuable lesson he learned from Ferguson
Manchester United legend and assistant coach Ruud van Nistelrooy has opened up about the most valuable lesson he ever learnt under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Van Nistelrooy worked under the legendary Manchester United coach, Ferguson, between 2001 and 2006 as the Dutchman claimed the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for the 2001/02 and the 2002/03 seasons. The former striker is now working under Erik ten Hag as Manchester United’s assistant coach and he has revealed a few valuable lessons he learned from Ferguson.
Speaking to The Guardian, Van Nistelrooy said: “As a player, the most important thing I took from working with Sir Bobby Robson and Sir Alex Ferguson was their relationships with the individual. It’s not a football player; it’s a person. When you reach that connection, you get the best out of people – and from there on you can help them build their careers. I never let that thought go out of my mind.
“Sometimes you have to be tough on them and sometimes you have to get your arm around them. That mixture is important, but the most important thing is to always be honest and straight. When you have knowledge about the game and what is necessary at the highest level, you must share it.
“As a coach, you just try to help players reach their goals. And it is something that makes you feel really proud when you see young players develop.
Gakpo went on to Liverpool and Noni to Chelsea, but there are a couple more from that time who are now in the PSV first team. The feeling I get when I see this is comparable with winning a league, really.
Van Nistelrooy started his coaching career as the assistant manager of the Dutch national team under Guus Hiddink and his latest job as PSV head coach was his first experience as the manager of a senior team.
