'I will always have a green heart': William Saliba bids farewell to Saint-Etienne in emotional post as he returns to Arsenal before loan side's French Cup final against PSG

William Saliba has posted an emotional message to Saint-Etienne supporters as he prepares to link up with Arsenal.

The Gunners signed the centre-back last summer but loaned him back to Saint-Etienne for the season.

Saliba had hoped to feature against Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final next Friday, but Saint-Etienne couldn't come to an agreement with Arsenal.
William Saliba has posted an emotional message to Saint-Etienne as he leaves the club
The centre-back joined Saint-Etienne as a youth player in 2016 and played 36 senior games

The 19-year-old reflected fondly on his time at Saint-Etienne as he thanked the club's coaches, staff and supporters.


Saliba wrote on Instagram: ‘It is time for me to say goodbye to you with great emotion and sadness, and above all to thank you, the Greens, for all these wonderful years that I spent from my arrival at the training centre to the professional world.

‘I want to thank all the coaches that I have had, who have made me progress and grow as a player and as a man. I would also like to thank all the club staff who work for our well-being on a daily basis.

‘And of course I thank from the bottom of my heart all the wonderful supporters who have always believed in me.

‘Finally, I would like to thank all my teammates with whom I was able to learn and share wonderful moments. I’m going to miss this beautiful cauldron that I’m not about to forget. Saint-Etienne is my city and I will always have a Green Heart.’

Saliba joined Saint-Etienne from FC Montfermeil as a youth player in 2016. He went on to make 36 senior appearances and became a fan favourite.
Saliba is set to return to Arsenal, where he will hope to make a major impact in his first season

Saint-Etienne's failure to extend Saliba's loan deal resulted from the French club refusing to follow Arsenal's medical demands, with the Premier League side having devised a plan for him to follow as he had been suffering with a foot problem.

Saliba will hope to make a major impact for Arsenal in his first season at the club,and it is clear that the Gunners' defence is in need of improvement.

Head coach Mikel Arteta will, however, be wary of putting too much pressure on Saliba straight away.