Arsenal confirm the signing of exciting youth prospect Salah-Eddine
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of exciting youth prospect Salah-Eddine.
Known as ‘Salah’, the 17 year old joins Arsenal on a free transfer from Dutch side Feyenoord. The central midfielder is known for his agility and creativity in the middle of the park. He spent his youth career in the Netherlands, rising up the ranks at Feyenoord before making the move to North London.
Salah has been capped at the Under 17 level for Holland. He will be able to play for the Arsenal Under 18 team this season but could make the step up to the Under 23 team due to his potential.
The 17 year old has been assigned the number 74 shirt. He will join the club’s Professional Development Phase for the 2020/21 season.
The Gunners were waiting for the player to turn 17 before swooping in for the talented youth prospect. This deal follows the arrivals of fellow youth prospects George Lewis, Tim Akinola and Jonathan Dinzeyi in recent weeks as Arsenal look to bolster their youth ranks.
This could be the last window during which English clubs can sign players at an Under 18 level from foreign clubs and so the Gunners could look to bring in a few more youth prospects from abroad in the coming weeks.
FIFA’s rules on the protection of minors permits the international transfer of players between the ages of 16 and 18 as long as they are moving between clubs from countries that are both a part of the European Union.
Brexit is scheduled to be completed by December 31st after which the UK will no longer be a part of the European Union.
Salah was interviewed after signing for the Gunners.
On how it feels to join Arsenal:
“It feels great to join a massive club like Arsenal. It’s a good environment for me to work on my development and hopefully through the academy I can become a first-team player.”
On the key factors behind his move:
“They first contacted my dad and then I went there for a week just to see what the club is all about, and after that they didn’t really have to say anything. I immediately knew that it was the right club for me.”
On his first impressions of the club and his teammates:
“My first impressions were that not only are my teammates really good footballers, but they’re great people as well. The whole environment is positive and it’s lovely to work with them.”
On how he would describe his style of play:
“I’m a central midfielder and I like to play box to box. Offensively I’m a creative player and I can play with my left or right foot. I score goals and get assist, and defensively I like to think I do my bit too, especially in the transition.”
On what he hopes to achieve in his debut season:
“First I want to become an important player in the under-23s and then eventually get involved with the first team in some capacity. I want to see what that’s like, but above all else I want to have a really good season with the under-23s. Maybe if I do that then I’ll be able to join the first team here and there in training. Those are my targets.”
