Ex-Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles completes free transfer to Euro giants as he links up with former team-mate

FORMER Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has completed a free transfer move to Lyon.

The versatile midfielder left Arsenal after his contract expired at the end of June.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has completed a move to LyonGetty

He was linked with moves to Everton, West Ham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.

But he decided he wanted a fresh start and has followed in the footsteps of other Arsenal stars by moving to Ligue Un, including Folarin Balogun.

Maitland-Niles has penned a four year deal with Lyon where he will link back up with Alexandre Lacazette.

Several Championship clubs were also understood to have contacted Maitland-Niles’ representatives.

While Turkish sides Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor all had their eye on the 25-year-old.

During his time with Arsenal, Maitland-Niles made 132 appearances, scoring three goals.

The former Ipswich loanee also won the FA Cup three times and was capped five times by England.

He spent last season on loan at Southampton, suffering relegation from the Premier League with the Saints.

DREAM TEAM IS LIVE – JOIN NOW TO BATTLE FOR THE £50k TOP PRIZE

A versatile player, the former England international can play in midfield or at right-back.

He was also a member of the Three Lions’ 2017 Under-20 World Cup winning side.