Mikel Arteta has approved a record transfer as Arsenal secure one of Ireland's brightest young prospects.
Arsenal beat rivals to Irish star in record deal as Mikel Arteta makes transfer call originally appeared on The Sporting News
Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Shamrock Rovers wonderkid Victor Ozhianvuna in what will be a record-breaking transfer for Irish football.
The 16-year-old midfielder, who has already featured in the League of Ireland’s Premier Division, will officially join the Gunners when he turns 18 in January 2027.
The fee will eclipse the figure Tottenham paid for compatriot Mason Melia earlier this year, making Ozhianvuna the most expensive outgoing player in Irish football history.
Ozhianvuna has already completed his medical with Arsenal and an agreement is now in place pending final paperwork. The transfer fee, believed to be higher than the $2m (£1.6m) Spurs spent to land Melia from St Patrick’s Athletic, sets a new benchmark for young Irish talent.
The Gunners fended off competition from a host of top European clubs who had tracked Ozhianvuna’s rapid progress through the Rovers academy.
His breakthrough into first-team football at just 16 highlighted why scouts have considered him one of the brightest prospects in Irish football.
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The bigger picture Arsenal have invested heavily in strengthening their academy pipeline in recent years, with technical director Edu, academy chief Per Mertesacker and head of emerging talent James Ellis playing key roles.
Building a foothold in Ireland has become a clear part of that strategy, and their strong relationship with Shamrock Rovers – aided by connections through Stephen Bradley and Stephen McPhail – has been instrumental in getting this deal over the line.
Despite his age, Ozhianvuna has already played senior minutes for Shamrock Rovers, impressing with his maturity in midfield.
Due to EU transfer regulations, he will remain in Ireland until 2027, allowing Rovers to continue his development before his switch to north London.
The teenager now follows in the footsteps of a long list of Irish players to join Arsenal, and the Gunners believe he has the potential to become the latest success story from their academy system.
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