Arsenal sign Nigeria-eligible goalkeeper on a new long-term contract

The Gunners are planning for the future by tying down one of their highly-rated youth players to a new long-term deal

Arsenal have tied down one of their top prospects Arthur Okonkwo to a new long-term contract and promoted him to the first team ahead of the new season.

Okonkwo started his career with the club’s U-9 before making the grade to the club’s U-18 and U-23 youth teams.

He has featured in 11 Premier League 2 games for the Gunners U-23 side, keeping four clean sheets. The 19-year-old also made ten league appearances for the U-18 side, keeping five clean sheets.

Although he is yet to feature for the Gunners first team, he trained with the squad last season and even travelled with the team on some match days.

And as a result, the Gunners have taken the step to promote him to the first team as their third-choice goalkeeper.

The youngster expressed his delight after signing his deal, saying he hopes to be the Gunners first-choice goalkeeper in the future.

“To be from the academy to be able to come up to Colney, train, play in the under-18s, train, play in the under-23s and then move up and train with the first team, and then hopefully, one day, make my first-team debut… it’s a great feeling to be here,” Okonkwo said on Arsenal’s website

Okonkwo was born in England and has represented the Three Lions at the youth level. However, he’s still eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his parents.