After a challenging period at Celta Vigo marked by disagreements and exclusion from the team, former Arsenal midfielder Denis Suarez finds a new home at Villarreal.

With his contract at Celta Vigo expired, the 29-year-old has signed a three-year deal at La Ceramica, seven years after his loan spell at the club from Barcelona.

• Denis Suarez, former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, signs with Villarreal after his Celta Vigo contract expires amidst disputes with the club president.
• Suarez spent the second half of last season on loan at Espanyol following a fallout with Celta Vigo President Carlo Mourino.
• After his failed loan at Arsenal and recent issues at Celta Vigo, Villarreal offers Suarez a chance for a fresh start.

Former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder, Denis Suarez, will hope to find a new lease of life at Villarreal after a turbulent period at Celta Vigo.

Suarez, who was at the centre of a dispute with Celta President Carlo Mourino, was left out of the team and spent the latter part of last season on loan at Espanyol.

The player’s contract with Celta Vigo has now expired, allowing him to join Villarreal on a free transfer.

Unravelling at Celta Vigo

Suarez’s troubles at Celta Vigo began when the club decided to sell him in an attempt to clear his £97k-per-week wages.

The club president Carlos Mourino claimed Suarez had rejected multiple offers, all of which would have increased his salary.

The discord escalated, leading to Suarez being sidelined and eventually loaned out to Espanyol.

“He is forcing us to fire him to harm the club. I will not consent to it,” said Mourino, pointing out Suarez’s refusal to accept new offers.

Revival at Villarreal

Seven years after a loan spell from Barcelona, Suarez has returned to Villarreal, replacing Giovani Lo Celso, who has returned to Tottenham Hotspur.

Villarreal will look forward to seeing Suarez, known for his creativity, revitalise his form following a disappointing period at Espanyol, where he showed signs of rust due to a lack of regular first-team football.

Looking back at Arsenal and Barcelona

While at Arsenal, Suarez also failed to impress, managing just six appearances without a goal or an assist.

His estimated value dropped from €12m to around €5m after his underwhelming stint in London.

Suarez’s career at Barcelona was equally challenging. He was eventually sold to Celta Vigo in 2019 after his unsuccessful loan at Arsenal. However, Suarez had a decent start at Celta, making 105 appearances over three seasons, scoring four and assisting six.

With this move, Denis Suarez hopes to put the controversies and disappointments of the past behind him.