Arsenal handed Max Dowman boost as wonderkid agrees deal | OneFootball

16-year-old has committed his future to Gunners after first-team breakthrough under Mikel Arteta

Dowman has attracted transfer attention from across Europe but the 16-year-old will become a scholar in the summer.

As has been the case already this week with both Ife Ibrahim and Josiah King, Dowman will then put pen to paper on a professional contract after his 17th birthday.

“This means everything to me and my family,” Dowman said.

“We all support Arsenal and I really feel like I belong here. I’d like to thank all my coaches, team-mates and, most importantly, my family and friends, who have got me to where I am today.

“I’ve been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot. There’s such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo [Saka], Myles [Lewis-Skelly] and Ethan, who all really inspire me.

“It’s amazing to have role models so close that have experienced the same thing that I have. I’m now so excited to continue to work hard with my development.”

Dowman is currently out of action with an ankle injury but has made five first-team appearances under Mikel Arteta this season.

That included an appearance off the bench against Slavia Prague, when he became the youngest player ever to feature in the Champions League aged 15 years and 308 days.