Pacey Arsenal winger completes loan exit

Shrewsbury Town have completed the loan signing of Ismeal Kabia from Arsenal, with the winger joining the League Two club for the 2025/26 campaign.

Photo via Shrewsbury Town on Twitter

Arsenal and Shrewsbury Town have confirmed the loan transfer of youth forward Ismeal Kabia, with the 19-year-old to wear the number 20 shirt throughout the 2025/26 campaign.

“I’m very happy to be here,” Kabia said. “I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about the club.

“For me, it was very important [to go out on loan], because I’ve played a couple of seasons of u21 football and I really want to take that next step in my career. I think here would be the perfect place.”

Photo via Shrewsbury Town on Twitter

Arsenal recently confirmed a new deal for Kabia, with the player signing his second professional contract at the club.

Kabia signed his first pro deal last summer, but that deal would have been capped at a maximum length of three years, meaning it would have expired in 2027 at the latest. This new contract isn’t capped in the same way.

It made sense for Arsenal to extend Kabia’s terms before loaning him out, as otherwise he would have returned with just a year left on his contract.

Photo via OfficialArsenalAcademy on Instagram

Kabia had made a good start to the 2025/26 campaign with the Arsenal u21s, scoring in his first appearance and providing an assist in his second.

He’ll now get going with Shrewsbury, who have had a tough opening few games in League Two. With four defeats and one draw, the team sit 23rd in the division.

It’s unclear whether Kabia’s loan was completed in time for him to face Accrington Stanley on Saturday at 15:00 BST. If not, he may get the chance to make his debut in the EFL Trophy against Walsall on Tuesday, September 2nd.