Bowen Phillips joins Arsenal under-15s from West Ham United academy

Bowen Phillips has taken to his Instagram account to announce that he has joined Arsenal under-15s after leaving the West Ham United academy.

The teenager posted a picture of himself putting pen to paper on a deal accompanied by Gunners academy manager Per Mertesacker.

Phillips is a product of the Ryan FC Soccer School, which produced the likes of Burnley striker Michael Obafemi and Stoke City forward Dwight Gayle.

He is a boyhood Arsenal fan and could not hide his delight at the move.

“Happy to be offered a contract with my boyhood club Arsenal,” Phillips posted on IG.

“Thank you to all the staff at West Ham who have helped me to become the player I am now and can’t wait to see them one day in the future.

“The hard work starts now. COYG.”

The young midfielder will join the likes of Brando Bailey-Joseph, Marley Frohock, Marli Salmon and Abraham Owusu-Gyasi in the Gunners under-15s and will be eligible to sign a scholarship deal from 2025-26, according to Jeorge Bird.

Phillips could soon earn quick promotion through the age groups if he manages to impress the coaches.

Ethan Nwaneri made his first-team debut aged 15 last term while 13-year-old Max Dowman has established himself as part of the under-18s.

Arsenal never hesitate to give their youngsters a chance to impress at age-grades above them, and under-18s coach Jack Wilshere will be keeping an eye on Phillips.

Plenty of youngsters in the Hale End academy struggle to break into the Gunners first-team given the plethora of talents always available at the top level, and it will be intriguing to see how far the former West Ham schoolboy can go.