Pirès picked up by Villarreal

Robert Pirès has ended a six-year association with Arsenal FC by agreeing a two-year contract with Villarreal CF, the Spanish side his former club defeated in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

'Build on their achievements'
The 32-year-old midfielder, who has won 79 caps for France but was not included in Raymond Domenech's squad for the FIFA World Cup finals, will arrive in Spain on 1 July to undergo medical tests and is then expected to be officially presented to the media. "I'm delighted to agree this deal with Villarreal," Pirès said. "I hope I'll be able to help them build on their impressive achievements over the last two years."

Champions League disappointment
Pirès moved to Highbury in summer 2000 following spells with FC Metz and Olympique de Marseille in his homeland and went on to score 62 goals in 189 Premiership matches for Arsenal. He helped the Gunners to a league and cup double in 2001/02 and struck the winning goal against Southampton FC in the FA Cup final the following year but has become a more peripheral figure in recent campaigns. He did start this month's UEFA Champions League final against FC Barcelona but was replaced after only 19 minutes following the dismissal of Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann. Arsenal lost 2-1 in what proved to be Pirès's farewell appearance.