Arsenal have announced that young striker Eddie Nketiah has signed his first professional contract with the club.
A diminutive but quick striker who was previously on Chelsea’s books, he will be a full-time scholar at Arsenal this season.
Nketiah, 17, scored 24 goals in 28 appearances for the youth side in the last campaign, and has already scored three goals this season.
Capable of playing as a target man or out wide from where he can make intelligent runs into the box, Nketiah is a sound finisher and not afraid to track back either.
A confident dribbler with an eye for goal, Eddie will be hoping to maintain his progress throughout this season playing regularly with Arsenal U-18 side. He will also be starring in the UEFA Youth League as a key player in Frans De Kat’s side this season.
While Gooners will clearly be pleased to know they have such an impressive talent in their ranks, other may fret that Nketiah is the latest name off the production line who could convince Arsene Wenger that the club don’t need to buy a top quality forward for the first team.
Gunners’ officials are big fans of his, with some likening him to legendary club striker Ian Wright.
A number of clubs were monitoring Nketiah’s situation at Arsenal, but the Gunners have moved to tie down the striker to a three-year professional deal.
Nketiah on his twitter account wrote:
Happy to sign my first professional contract with @arsenal, I thank god for blessing me with this opportunity ⚽️🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/NsLmYXPidY
— Eddie Nketiah 📞 (@EddieNketiah9) September 14, 2016
While Arsenal’s twitter account was also very quick to congratulate him on his new contract.
Congratulations, Eddie 📝 https://t.co/FkSpvoZDBK
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 14, 2016
A statement on Arsenal’s website said:
As well as his eye for goal, Eddie has impressed in our academy ranks with his speed and dribbling skills.
We would like to congratulate Eddie on his new contract, and look forward to his continued progress with the club.
Nketiah will likely be in action on Saturday when Arsenal’s under-18s take on his old club Chelsea at Cobham Training Centre.
Many young prospects are emerging through the academy and it’ll be very exciting to see such emerging talent challenging established players for a place in the first team in the near future. Watch Eddie Nketiah’s 24 goals for Arsenal’s U-18 team below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhJlmuDALIY
