Arsenal defender Djourou joins Hannover

LONDON (AFP) –

Arsenal‘s Swiss defender Johan Djourou (left) fights for the ball with Manchester United‘s French defender Patrice Evra (R) on January 22, 2012 at the Emirates Stadium in London. Arsenal’s out-of-favour defender Johan Djourou joins Bundesliga club Hannover on loan until the end of the season.

Arsenal’s out-of-favour defender Johan Djourou joined Bundesliga club Hannover on loan until the end of the season on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Swiss international had made just two appearances for Arsene Wenger’s team this season, with none in the Premier League, after losing out to Thomas Vermaelen, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker in the battle for central defensive berths.

Djourou has played 144 times for the Gunners since making his debut in a 2-1 League Cup victory against Manchester City in October 2004.

But his error-strewn displays over the last two years convinced Wenger to relegate him to the reserves.

A statement on the Arsenal website read: “Everyone at Arsenal would like to wish Johan well for his time in Germany.”