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Arsenal will exercise Vela clause

ESPN staff
June 11, 2014
Carlos Vela's previous Arsenal career was largely restricted to League Cup and Champions League group games © Getty Images
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Carlos Vela will return to Arsenal next season, the president of the forward's current club Real Sociedad said on Tuesday.

Arsenal can activate a clause in the former Mexico international's contract to bring him back to the Emirates, and Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay confirmed the move, telling Spanish radio station Cadena SER: "Arsenal have informed us that Vela would be with them next season."

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Vela, 25, previously signed for Arsenal in January 2006 as a 17-year-old, but the club failed to gain a work permit. He was shipped out on loan to Salamanca and Osasuna before finally making his Arsenal debut in 2008.

He had further loan spells at West Bromwich Albion and Sociedad, before making that move permanent in 2011. He scored just 11 goals in his six years in north London.

But he particularly excelled in Spain last season, netting 16 times in 34 games, prompting Arsenal to call him back for a reported £3.5 million.

Vela was not selected to join Mexico's World Cup squad after repeatedly declining call-ups during qualifying. Last year, Vela said he was not interested in a return to Arsenal and the Sociedad president appeared to confirm that.

"We are fortunate that the player is keen to stay in San Sebastian with us and that's an important factor," Apperibay said.

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