Former Arsenal youngster signs for 6th club in 7 years | OneFootball

Former Arsenal youngster, Yassin Fortuné, once regarded as one of the most exciting attacking prospects in European football, has signed a two-year contract with Vizela in Portugal, the sixth club he has joined since leaving the Gunners in 2018.

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A £3 million Arsenal arrival from RC Lens in 2015, Fortune was courted by Manchester United and likened to Danny Welbeck for his physicality and versatility. The Gunners saw the 16-year-old as a long-term project, but persistent injuries and competition restricted him to 45 academy appearances, with only 10 goals and three assists.

He never made a senior appearance.

When his contract expired in 2018, Fortuné rejected a renewal, opting instead for a four-year deal with FC Sion in Switzerland, where he played 53 league games and scored just three goals.

He was later loaned out to Angers, Cholet, and Polissya Zhytomyr, with varying degrees of involvement and success.

Photo by James Chance/Getty Images

A move to Quevilly-Rouen last year marked a return to France’s third tier, where he made 33 appearances and scored five times before his latest transfer.

Speaking to the Portuguese press after signing with Vizela, Fortuné said: “I am very happy to be here. It’s my first time in Portugal, but I know Vizela because I have friends here. I am very excited about this new challenge. I know Vizela can represent a big change for my career.”

Describing himself as a “technical and fast” player, Fortuné added, “I like to fight for the team and always help my teammates.”

His deal at Vizela runs until June 2027, with an option for a further year. A debut against Paços de Ferreira is expected this weekend.

Despite all these moves, Fortuné has only ever commanded one transfer fee – the €2.5m paid by Arsenal 10 years ago. He has never been valued at more than €500k.

Whether this move finally provides the stability he has lacked remains to be seen.