Arsenal prodigy set to sign first professional contract

Arsenal youngster Ethan Nwaneri is believed to be just days away from signing his first professional contract, having recently celebrated his 17th birthday.

Nwaneri made history when he was handed a senior debut by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in September 2022 at the age of just 15 years and 181 days, appearing off the bench in a Premier League win over Brentford to become the youngest ever player in England's top flight.

The prodigious talent turned 17 on 21 March, the age from which male players are allowed to be signed on professional terms. The has reported that Nwaneri will pen such a deal when he returns from duty with England's Under-17 squad following Tuesday's clash with France.

The contract is expected to be between two and three years in length, although it said there have already been «informal discussions» about signing an improved deal when he turns 18 next year.

Nwaneri is believed to have club captain Martin Odegaard, himself a first-team player at the age of 15 back with first club Stromsgodset in Norway, as a personal mentor.

If the teen, who made his second Arsenal appearance when the Gunners faced West Ham United in the Premier League last month, begins to make a consistent impact at first-team level, chances are that he will be regularly signing fresh deals over the coming seasons to reflect a growing status.

Discussing his decision to play Nwaneri against West Ham recently, Arteta explained it was motivated by the level of trust that senior Arsenal players already have in the youngster.

«There is something that you have to earn in your team and that is trust [from] teammates,» he said.

«I had two things. One, the players on the bench whispering 'Bring Ethan in!', which is a great thing to hear. The other