Laurent Koscielny/import

Laurent Koscielny (French pronunciation: ​[loˈʁɑ̃ kosjɛlˈɲi]) (born 10 September 1985) is a French footballer who plays as a defender for Arsenal and the French national team. He primarily plays as a centre back but he can also play as a right back, a position where he started his career.[3] He is described as an aggressive, strong, quick and ball-playing defender.[4] Koscielny was born in the city of Tulle and began his football career playing for a host of amateur and youth clubs such as Brive, Tulle Corrèze and Limoges. In 2001, he moved to Brittany in northwestern France to play for professional club Guingamp. In 2007, Koscielny joined Tours for an undisclosed fee to play in the third tier of the French league in 2007 and enjoyed promotion with his new side before being named in the Ligue 2 Team of the Season the following campaign.[4] On 16 June 2009, newly promoted Ligue 1 side Lorient signed Koscielny on a four-year contract for around €1.7 million. He quickly established himself as a starter. His performances caught the eye of Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and Arsenal confirmed the signing on 7 July 2010 and Koscielny was handed the club's number 6 shirt. Arsenal fans voted Laurent Koscielny as Arsène Wenger’s most effective signing of 2010–11 following an impressive debut campaign.[5] Koscielny was called up to the French national team on 4 February 2011. Prior to his call up for France, Koscielny was also eligible to play for Poland, as a result of his family roots.[6] In the 1–1 draw against Southampton on 1 January 2013, Koscielny made his hundredth appearance for Arsenal.
==External links==
*ESPN Soccernet
*Soccerway
Category:1985 births
Category:Players
Category:French footballers
Category:Premier League players
Category:Arsenal F.C. players
Category:En Avant de Guingamp players
Category:FC Lorient players
Category:Tours FC players