Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun has signed a loan deal with Ligue 1 club Stade Reims for the 2022-23 season.
The 21-year-old made his first-team debut for the Gunners during the 2020-21 season and signed a long-term deal with the club.
Balogun appeared in the Premier League just twice last season before going on loan to Middlesbrough for the second half of the season – his first loan stint away from Arsenal.
Balogun has three goals and three assists in 18 Championship appearances (nine starts) for Chris Wilder’s club, although they fell short of the play-offs.
Reims finished 12th in Ligue 1 last season, 12 points above the relegation zone, and will out their new season against Marseille on Sunday.
Balogun is the French club’s sixth acquisition of the summer transfer window, joining Junya Ito, Andreaw Gravillon, Emmanuel Agbadou, Patrick Pentz, and Maxime Busi.
Despite previous speculation linking the 21-year-old striker with a permanent move to France, there is no option to buy clause in the contract.
The Gunners still believe that Balogun will have a huge future at the club.
A statement read: “Everyone at Arsenal wishes Flo all the best this coming season with Stade de Reims.
“The loan deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
Balogun is a graduate of Arsenal’s Hale End Academy.
He made his first team debut in November 2020, five months before signing a long-term contract with the club.
The striker spent the second half of last season on loan with Middlesbrough in the Championship, where he scored three goals and assisted three more in 18 league appearances.
He also helped Boro to the FA Cup quarter-finals, defeating the likes of Tottenham and Manchester United along the way.
Reims had prioritised signing a striker this summer following the departure of Hugo Ekitike, who recently joined Paris Saint-Germain.
Meanwhile, Arsenal continue to be linked with Leicester City Youri Tielemans – although they need to get rid of some players first.
