Arsenal beat two PL rivals to the signing of top goalkeeping prospect
Arsenal have confirmed an agreement to sign highly-rated Northern Ireland Under-17 goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney from Larne FC as the club continue strengthening their academy ranks.
The 15-year-old has been secured as part of Arsenal’s 2027/28 scholar intake and has also signed a pre-contract agreement that will lead to professional terms with the Gunners.
Blayney earned the opportunity after impressing during a trial with Arsenal, having also attracted significant interest from other Premier League clubs.
Liverpool and Nottingham Forest were among his suitors and both reportedly made offers, but Arsenal ultimately won the competition for his signature.
His father, former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Alan Blayney, had already revealed in June that an agreement had been reached following his son’s positive experience with the Gunners.
“Phoenix enjoyed being at Arsenal, he felt a connection there and really likes the coaches,” Blayney said at the time.
The Belfast-born goalkeeper already has considerable international experience for his age, having established himself with Northern Ireland at Under-17 level.
Blayney featured five times during their UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying campaign as Northern Ireland progressed from the opening stage into the elite round.
He subsequently started all three elite-round fixtures against Spain, Turkey and Scotland in March, with Larne highlighting several important saves from the youngster despite Northern Ireland’s difficult results.
Blayney has also represented Larne at Under-16 and Under-18 level and was included on the bench during the club’s UEFA Youth League campaign.
His development is supported by considerable goalkeeping pedigree, with his father Alan having represented Northern Ireland at senior international level.
The teenager revealed earlier this year that his father was the first footballer he admired, while legendary former Arsenal goalkeeper Pat Jennings is his favourite player to have represented Northern Ireland.
He has also highlighted current Northern Ireland international Pierce Charles as an influence, particularly admiring his distribution and passing range.
Blayney’s acquisition continues Arsenal’s increasingly aggressive approach towards recruiting highly-rated youngsters from other academies.
The Gunners have pursued several promising British and overseas prospects this summer as they seek to strengthen the pathway beneath Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta’s first team.
Arsenal’s announcement described Blayney as a “towering goalkeeper” and confirmed that the transfer remains subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
The agreement nevertheless represents another significant academy capture, with Arsenal securing a goalkeeper already playing above his age group and attracting attention from some of England’s biggest clubs.
The post Arsenal beat two PL rivals to the signing of top goalkeeping prospect first appeared on ArsenalNews.co.uk.
