FORMER Colchester United loanee Mauro Bandeira has been released by Arsenal.

The 20-year-old midfielder is one of 22 players to be released by the Gunners, ahead of the official Premier League announcement of all men’s players who will be out of contract at their current clubs on June 30.

Bandeira returned to Arsenal early last season, after his season-long loan spell ended in January, following agreement from both clubs.

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The midfielder made 11 league and cup appearances and two league starts for the U's after joining them on loan from the Gunners, last summer.

In a statement, www.arsenal.com said: 'We thank all the players leaving us for their contributions to the club.

'You will always be part of the Arsenal family and we wish you all the best of health and happiness in your futures. 

Gazette:

'Any further developments regarding players extending their contracts, as well as joining/re-joining, or leaving us, will be officially communicated when confirmed.'

Bandeira was involved for Colchester in pre-season and in the opening weeks of the season under former U's boss, Ben Garner.

 

But he has found himself down the pecking order since then and his last appearance came as a substitute in the U's 5-0 defeat at Forest Green Rovers, last October.

Bandeira, who signed his first professional contract at Arsenal in 2022, returned to the Premier League side after both clubs decided that it was best to cut short the loan.

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Bandeira’s move to Colchester was his first loan switch away from Arsenal, where he has been since the age of 13.

He made 20 appearances in Premier League 2 for the Gunners last season, scoring three goals and was named among the substitutes for the club's first team on three occasions.

Bandeira was part of the Arsenal under-18 side that lost 3-0 to Colchester in the FA Youth Cup third round in December 2021, when goals from Ryan Lowe, Samson Tovide and Kaan Bennett gave the U’s victory at the JobServe Community Stadium.