Arsenal’s youth attacking midfielder Jon Toral has joined Granada on a 1-year loan deal, the Spanish club have officially confirmed.
Jon Toral, who was dubbed as the next Cesc Fabregas by many, joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2011 from Barcelona.
Talented young midfielder Jon Toral has joined #GranadaCF on loan from @Arsenal for the 2016/17 season.#ToralNazari pic.twitter.com/a2bdQNhNlN
— Granada CF 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇮🇪 (@GranadaCF_en) July 12, 2016
He received promotion in 2014 and spent the 2 following seasons on loan, at Brentford and Birmingham City respectively.
With the presence of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi, Jon Toral has still been unable to break into Arsenal’s first team and hence shall be spending yet another season out on loan, this time at Spanish club side Granada.
At Brentford, he made 34 league appearances and scored 6 goals. However, he enjoyed more success at Birmingham, scoring 8 goals in 36 appearances.
He was awarded the Players’ Player of the Season and Supporters’ Player of the Season at Birmingham City. His goal against Ipswich Town, a dipping volley from 25 yards, earned him the club’s Goal of the Season award.
His successful stint at Midlands made many ascertain that he would break into the first team for the 2016-17 season, but the presence of a lot of talent in that position has delayed his first team breakthrough.
He still has to wait for his chance as he is shipped out for one more season on loan. He might prove to be the long term replacement of Mesut Ozil, for which the experience he is gaining at the senior level shall surely help.
Toral has an English mother and has spoken English throughout his childhood. He has made the bench of the Spanish National Team at U-17 and U-19 level. Having an English mother enables him to have the choice of representing England too.
His time at Spain shall be crucial in determining whether he has a future at Arsenal or like many other unfortunate talents he shall be seeking a future elsewhere.
