Arsenal transfer news: Nwakali “happy” with Gunners move

Nigeria Under-17 captain Kelechi Nwakali has confirmed that he will be joining Arsenal, who he is “happy” to sign for.

The youngster rose to prominence after his performances during the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile last year.

Arsenal’s latest recruit won the Golden Ball after leading the Golden Eagles to the trophy, the fifth time the Nigerian Under-17 side has won the title.

Despite compatriot Victor Osimhen being the tournament’s top goalscorer with 10 strikes, Nwakali’s displays that impressed the most.

It was off the back of this event that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger identified the youngster as an ideal youth prospect, as reported by the Daily Express, and the Gunners have worked quickly to secure his signature following the tournament’s conclusion in early November.

Nwakali confirmed the move after meeting Wenger in north London to sort through the details of the transfer.

”Happy I made it. Now the work begins,” Nwakali posted on Facebook.

Arsenal have a rich history of nurturing young talent, with current prospects Alex Iwobi and Jeff Reine-Adelaide pushing for first-team opportunities in cup competitions after impressing in the reserves and youth league.

While Wenger signed Mohammed Elneny earlier in the January transfer window to aid the present team’s title push, this latest coup could ensure the winning of many in the future.

The Gunners are currently third in the division, having won just two of their last six matches. In Nwakali’s position, centre-forward, Olivier Giroud is Arsenal’s main man, with the France international having netted 12 league goals in 2015/16.