Kelechi Nwakali has officially confirmed that he is finally an Arsenal player after posting a picture of him signing the contract alongside his family on his official Twitter account.
Here is the official tweet.
https://twitter.com/Kelechi_nwakali/status/761183960332468225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The player is believed to have signed a five-year deal but is reportedly still awaiting his International Transfer Certificate and work permit.
The North London club are expected to request for a special talent visa and given his exploits at the junior level, it’s likely he will be given one.
The Gunners have been tracking the midfielder since January and stepped up their pursuit after he turned 18 in June. However, international commitments were thought to have further delayed a deal.
ASJ Academy CEO Emeka Amajiriaku has told All Nigeria Soccer a deal is now done. He said:
“Kelechi has signed with Arsenal, it is now a done deal,” Amajiriaku said.
“He signed the contract at 3pm today.
“His mother and brother Allwell were there. Manchester City loanee Chidiebere Nwakali came all the way from Norway to London to witness his brother signing the contract.”
Nwakali also took to Twitter to post snaps from London Colney as he confirmed he’d taken part in his first training session as an Arsenal player.
https://twitter.com/Kelechi_nwakali/status/760881331278585858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Arsenal noticed the Nigerian youngster, during the under-17 world cup. He has been compared to his idol and former Arsenal Legend in Nwankwo Kanu. Arsenal’s interest and commitment to raw talent- refinement is popular the world over, an area which Arsene Wenger has held a key expertise in. Nwakali is not the only youngster on the verge of being announced as an Arsenal player on arsenal’s official website.
Arsenal have also signed Japanese starlet Takuma Asano, who is being touted as one of Japan’s top-class goal scorers in the years to come. Granit Xhaka is the only big name and big money signing to have arrived at Arsenal thus far and is going to be, needless to say, drafted into the first team. Nwakali and Asano on the other hand, are likely to either be loaned or feature for the reserve team, unless either are talented enough to be drafted into the first team as well.
Nwakali is an effective player in attack. He is creative and comfortable in possession. His stamina, persistence, and skill make him a well-rounded attacker. Whether his talent is exceptional enough for him to make it into the first team at 18, is yet to be seen.
