Arsenal have confirmed on their official website that forward Chris Willock has joined Benfica on a free transfer.
The 19-year-old graduated from the Gunners’ Hale End Academy which he joined as a five-year-old and was one of the highly rated youngsters graduating from the famed academy.
The Englishman made two first team appearances for the North London club last season, also making substitute appearances against Nottingham Forest and Reading in the EFL Cup. However the youngster failed to cement his place in the first-team.
Willock’s contract with the Emirates side ended on Friday and the attacker has now officially completed a move to the Portuguese giants. Here is the statement from Gunners official website:
Chris Willock, who reached the end of his contract with us this summer, has joined Portuguese champions Benfica.
We’d like to wish Chris all the best for the next stage in his career.
Although there is no transfer fee involved, the North London club are owed compensation of £300,000 under FIFA rules for developing Willock at their academy.
Willock signed a five-year contract and reflecting on the move, he told Benfica TV:
“I hope I can show what I can do on the pitch. I think we have a great team and we can achieve great things in the future.”
Arsene Wenger has recently hailed Willock for his impressive displays with the academy. The Frenchman claimed that the forward was a “gifted player with natural strength and natural talent”.
The Gunners did try to hold on to the youngster by offering a new deal, but the England u-19 international preferred a move away.
We wish him all the best for his future endeavors.
