Arsenal praised by selling club over teenage signing | OneFootball

Arsenal have been praised after completing the signing of Daniel McCarron, with senior figures at Dungannon Swifts hailing the manner in which the Premier League leaders conducted the deal.

The 16-year-old defender has agreed to join Arsenal as part of the 2026-27 scholar intake, also signing a pre-contract agreement that will see him commit to professional terms in north London.

McCarron has already been involved with Dungannon Swifts’ first-team squad in the NIFL Premiership this season and will arrive as a versatile centre-back capable of operating on either side of defence.

Chris Hegarty, Head of Youth at Stangmore Park, oversaw McCarron’s development and was emphatic in his praise of Arsenal’s approach after the teenager, who hails from Ederney in County Fermanagh, completed the move shortly after turning 16.

Hegarty, a former defender with Rangers, Linfield, Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts, retired from playing in 2024 to take up his current role and said the process left a lasting impression.

“Arsenal were first in, and from the very start they were outstanding”, Hegarty said.

“The way they conducted themselves was exceptional. Their scout, Phil Cowan, was unbelievable with the family, visiting their home, explaining everything clearly, and making Daniel feel genuinely wanted. The professionalism was on another level. Daniel didn’t go on loads of trials because Arsenal looked after him so well and showed values that really resonated with him and his family. It just felt right.”

Hegarty also outlined why Arsenal moved decisively for the teenager, offering a detailed assessment of his attributes and character. “Daniel is a very calm, composed centre-half, but with an aggressive edge. He’s excellent in possession on both sides, athletic, good in the air, and he reads the game well. What I loved as a coach was how receptive he was. You could talk to him about body shape or positioning, and even if he was smiling away at you, you knew he was taking it in and you’d see him apply it straight away in games.

“But what really stood out was him as a person. Daniel is an absolute joy to work with, always smiling, always asking questions, and always taking things on board. His attitude is first-class. He’s respectful, grounded, and never gets above his station. That composure he has off the pitch comes straight onto the pitch as well.”

Hegarty added that the move carries significance beyond the individual player. “Daniel’s move is a massive achievement not just for him and his family, but for everyone who has played a part in his development. People in Ederney, Kesh and Tummery, where he played when he was younger, will all be proud of him, and rightly so. It’s huge for the club too. Another local player going across the water is fantastic for the club and the academy. Daniel’s going as an amateur, but there’s a development fee involved, so the club is looked after. More importantly, it shows young players that if you work hard, there is a pathway.”

A Northern Ireland youth international, McCarron will link up with Arsenal’s new scholars in July ahead of next season, having already spent time on trial with the club. That included featuring for the Arsenal under-17s at the Flamengo Adidas Cup at the end of 2024, when he was still 15, a tournament the Gunners went on to win after victories over Colo Colo, Del Valle, GNK Dinamo and hosts Flamengo.

His arrival continues Arsenal’s focus on recruiting young talent with senior exposure, while Dungannon Swifts, a semi-professional club competing in the top tier of Northern Irish football, have been left with both pride in the player’s progress and confidence in the way the move was handled.