LONDON (AFP) - Andre Santos brought to a close his disappointing spell at Arsenal as the Brazilian defender returned home to join Flamengo on Saturday.

Santos endured a miserable time during his two years with the Premier League club and had been linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium for several months before finally completing his exit on a permanent basis.

The 30-year-old left-back joined the Gunners from Turkish side Fenerbahce for £6.8 million (S$13.2 million) in August 2011 and made just 33 appearances for Arsene Wenger's side.

His purchase was widely regarded as something of a panic buy by Wenger after Gael Clichy's move to Manchester City and the Brazilian was unable to disprove that theory with his performances.