Arsenal announce signing of wonderkid striker who scored more than 40 goals last season
Arsenal have completed another signing(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal have announced the signing of teenage forward Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace.
The 16-year-old has joined the club after turning down a new contract at Selhurst Park, and is set to be part of the Gunners' first-year scholarship intake for the 2026/27 season.
As well as that, Bernard, who scored more than 40 goals in Palace's academy last season, has signed a pre-contract agreement with the club that will lead to him signing a professional deal when he turns 17.
Stepping up above his age bracket, the striker netted six times in the Under-18 Premier League last season. Alongside shining at club level, Bernard has been called up by England Under 16s, scoring four times in just eight games.
Bernard's main position is centre-forward, but he can be used on the wing or in a deeper No.10 role. That versatility is part of the reason why Arsenal looked at signing the attacker, who is seen as one of the most talented in his age group right now.
Following his exit from Palace, Bernard released a heartfelt statement on Instagram. He said: "After 8 unforgettable years at Crystal Palace, I have decided to say goodbye. I have grown up playing for Crystal Palace and it has provided so many wonderful moments in blue and red. Crystal Palace has shaped me as a person and a player becoming a crucial part of my life.
"It has always been a pleasure playing at the club over the last few years and this part of my journey will always have a place with me. Thank you to all my coaches and teammates that have pushed me to become a better player and have helped me in my journey at the club. I will forever be grateful for the past 8 years I've had with this club."
Mylo Bernard (left) in action for England Under 16s(Image: Soccrates Images, Getty Images)
Bernard is part of a busy academy intake by Arsenal this summer. Elijah Upson - son of former Gunners defender Matthew - has arrived from Tottenham, Axel Donczew from Cardiff, Igor Tyjon from Blackburn, while Andria Bartishvili's five-year contract is signed for 2027.
Arteta has often put his faith into young players at Arsenal in recent years with Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka among the success stories to come from Hale End.
Three more talented youngsters were involved in first-team training on Tuesday morning ahead of their Champions League season-opener at Napoli, with Marcell Washington, Marli Salmon and Max Dowman involved.
Washington, a 19-year-old left-back, is yet to make his senior debut for the Gunners but was a regular for the Under-21s last season, recording 25 appearances in total, scoring twice and adding one assist.
Meanwhile, Salmon, 17, has played four times for Arsenal's first-team and is considered as one of the brightest young defenders in the Hale End system. He made his debut as a substitute in a 3-0 win at Club Brugge last December and made three appearances in the FA Cup last season.
Dowman is well-known to Arsenal fans around the globe, having enjoyed a remarkable breakthrough season in 2025/26. The 16-year-old sensation featured 13 times, scoring once, and earned a Premier League winners' medal for his contribution at the end of the campaign.
Arsenal have made an impressive start to this season, picking up nine points from a possible nine in the Premier League after beating Coventry City, Aston Villa and Chelsea.
Arsenal face Napoli in their opening Champions League fixture on September 9. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.
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