Mikaël Silvestre has accepted a two-year contract at Bundesliga club SV Werder Bremen, bringing an end to his eleven-season stay in English football.

The 33-year-old former France defender was a free agent after his deal with Arsenal FC expired in June and he arrives in Bremen eager to put his experience to good use. Silvestre, who made only 21 Premier League starts in two campaigns with Arsenal but nine in the UEFA Champions League, said: "I want to become a key player here, one the youngsters can turn to for advice."

Silvestre will wear the No16 shirt and will look to forge a strong understanding with German international Per Mertesacker at the heart of the Bremen back line. Bremen had been searching for defensive reinforcements following their qualification for the UEFA Champions League group stage, and coach Thomas Schaaf was delighted with his new acquistion. "As soon as we opened negotiations we realised we were on the same wavelength," he said.

The left-footed centre-back, who had nine productive seasons at Manchester United FC before joining Arsenal, will not have to wait long before renewing one particular rivalry from his time in England – Bremen open their Group A programme against Arsenal's north London neighbours Tottenham Hotspur FC on 14 September. He scored his first Arsenal goal in a 4-4 draw with Tottenham in October 2008 but finished on the losing side in a 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane last term.