NICOLAS PEPE received a hero's welcome at Trabzonspor to the delight of Arsenal fans.
The 28-year-old signed for the Turkish side after the Gunners ripped up his contract to allow him to leave for free despite him having one year left on his deal.
Pepe joined Arsenal in 2019 for a then club-record fee of £72million from Lille.
But the flop failed to impress in the Premier League, scoring 27 goals in 112 games before being shipped out on loan to Nice last season.
The winger was not wanted by Mikel Arteta and the club eventually forced him out as he agreed a deal with Trabzonspor.
A private jet carrying Pepe touched down in his new home and he was greeted by passionate fans at the airport.
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They gathered around him and the Ivorian led chants with his new supporters.
Pepe had a huge smile on his face as he jumped up and down in a Trabzonspor kit.
Arsenal fans are pleased to see him smile after a tough time in North London, one said: "He just looks happy again."
Another added: "He will do well for sure, wish him the best."
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A third commented: "Glad he's happy and enjoying himself, far better than being in a place where he isn’t wanted."
Although Pepe's Arsenal nightmare is over, it is not done for his former employers yet.
The club are understood to still owe Lille £10m of the £72m they agreed to pay for him four years ago.
And despite Pepe leaving the Emirates, the structure of the deal has not changed.
His departure has however saved the club £150,000-a-week in wages.
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