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Djourou hoping to leave Arsenal permanently

ESPN staff
February 25, 2014
Johan Djourou last featured for Arsenal in October 2012 © PA Photos
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Johan Djourou is hoping to make his loan switch from Arsenal to Bundesliga side Hamburg permanent in the summer.

The centre-back has made 15 league appearances for Hamburg this season, having joined Hannover for the second half of last season.

He turned out just 86 times in 10 years under Arsene Wenger, his last match coming in the dramatic 7-5 League Cup win at Reading in October 2012, when Arsenal recovered from 4-0 down.

Arsenal could be short of centre-backs next season with Thomas Vermaelen's future uncertain, though Djourou wants to extend his stay in Germany.

"I know the coach, I love the club, I love the city," Djourou told Bild. "HSV is incredible. The club has so much potential. We have to go way up.

"The fans are great. The mood is different than in England. If all goes well and the club also want to, I would stay."

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