Arsenal have reached an agreement for Shamrock Rovers’ promising talent. Arsenal break record to sign Irish teenager…

Arsenal have reached an agreement for Shamrock Rovers’ promising talent, Victor Ozhianvuna.

This transfer is set to establish a record fee in the League of Ireland. The 16-year-old, who is already competing in senior football, will officially join Arsenal when he turns 18 in January 2027.

Arsenal has finalized a deal for 16-year-old midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna from Shamrock Rovers, breaking the record to sign the young Irish player.

The agreement for Ozhianvuna is anticipated to set a new Irish record.

The 16-year-old, currently playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland, will enter into a pre-contract with Arsenal, allowing him to join the club upon turning 18 in January 2027.

The transfer fee for Ozhianvuna is expected to exceed the £1.6 million deal Tottenham made to acquire Mason Melia from St Patrick’s Athletic earlier this year.

The player has successfully completed his medical examination, and the official signing could take place as soon as this week.

Ozhianvuna is a right-footed midfielder who generally operates on the left side.

His technical skills and physical attributes suggest he could excel in various positions in the future.

Arsenal is among several elite clubs that have closely monitored his development from Shamrock Rovers’ youth teams to the first team.

This transfer marks the result of three years of effort by Arsenal to build a scouting network and foster relationships with clubs in Ireland.

Arsenal has recognized both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland as key areas for expanding and investing in their recruitment strategy.

The club has a strong history of Irish players and aims to be well-prepared to attract future generations of emerging Irish talent.

Technical director James Ellis and academy manager Per Mertesacker spearheaded Arsenal’s efforts.

The club maintains a strong relationship with Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, who is an alumnus of the Arsenal academy, as well as with Shamrock Rovers’ sporting director Stephen McPhail.

As a citizen of the EU, Ozhianvuna cannot join Arsenal until he reaches the age of 18.

With Bradley and McPhail at the helm, Shamrock Rovers are building a strong reputation for nurturing young talent, and Arsenal is confident in allowing them to oversee the next 16 months of Ozhianvuna’s football development.