Two more through the door as Arsenal refresh academy ranks
Arsenal have confirmed the signings of Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United and Axel Donczew from Cardiff City, continuing a busy few weeks of recruitment at academy level.
Ogunneye, 20, follows James Scanlon in swapping Old Trafford for north London, with the Gibraltar international winger’s move also confirmed this morning.
A right-back who was born in Hackney, Ogunneye came through Manchester United’s academy and gained his first taste of senior football during a loan spell with Newport County last season. He made 21 appearances for the League Two side before returning to United in January.
He has also represented England at under-17 level and will initially link up with Arsenal’s under-21s.
“It feels great to be here, it’s such a big club,” he said after completing his move.
“When I heard [Arsenal] were interested in me, I said to my agents it’s a no-brainer. Seeing all the young players that are coming through as well, so I just wanted to come straight away.”
Donczew, 16, is an attacking midfielder who joins from Cardiff as part of Arsenal’s first-year scholarship intake. The Wales youth international has also agreed a pre-contract that will see him turn professional when he turns 17 in February.
He already has some senior experience, having become Cardiff’s youngest-ever first-team player when he came off the bench against Newport County in the EFL Trophy, a record since broken by Noah Anyadike. He made another appearance in the competition against AFC Wimbledon in December.
Cardiff had hoped to keep hold of the youngster but confirmed: “The Club had offered terms for Donczew to continue his development with the Bluebirds and made efforts to retain the player, but he opted to pursue a move away from the Welsh capital.”
The two deals continue what has turned into something of an academy recruitment blitz from Arsenal.
Igor Tyjon’s arrival from Blackburn Rovers was confirmed on Friday, with the Gunners paying a reported £1 million plus a further £2 million in potential add-ons for the highly-rated 18-year-old striker. Elijah Upson, meanwhile, joined earlier in the summer after leaving Sp*rs.
With Georgian prospect Andria Bartishvili also tipped to join, and the likes of Victor Ozhianvuna and Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero due to arrive when they turn 18, there’s a significant refresh of the talent pipeline taking place.
Whether any of them ultimately make the first team remains to be seen. Even if they don’t, Arsenal will hope their development can generate significant returns in the transfer market, something the club has struggled to do consistently with academy players in recent years.
__
For more on Donczew, check out Jeorge Bird’s latest piece.
The post Two more through the door as Arsenal refresh academy ranks appeared first on Arseblog News - the Arsenal news site.
