KEY POINTS

  • Nwakali led the Nigeria U17 side in the World Cup in Chile last year.
  • The 18-year-old midfielder has agreed a five-year deal with Arsenal.

Kelechi Nwakali has become Arsenal's fourth summer signing after the midfielder shared a picture of him signing the contract along with his family in London. The Gunners are expected to announce the transfer, which has been in the pipeline since February in the coming days.

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The Nigeria U20 international has joined the team at their London Colney training base and will require a work permit to play with the reserves during the upcoming campaign. Nwakali, who caught the attention of the club after leading the Nigeria U17 side to the World Cup in Chile last year, is said to have agreed a five-year deal with the north London club.

"I am officially an Arsenal player. Thanks to God and my family and friends.Hard work starts now!" the Nigerian midfielder wrote on his official Twitter account.

ASJ Academy CEO Emeka Amajiriaku confirmed that the deal had been signed earlier in the week, but admitted that Arsenal are yet to decide on whether to retain the midfielder to play with the developmental sides at the club or send him out on loan to gain first-team experience. The midfielder is not short of fitness as he was recently involved with the Super Eagles' U20 side at the U20 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

"Arsenal will determine if he will go on loan or play for the U18s, U21s (Development squad) or first team. We cannot determine that. The contract is for five years and they are in London to sign the contract," Amajiriaku told allnigeriasoccer.com.

Kelechi Nwakali
Kelechi Nwakali has signed a long-term deal with Arsenal and started training at London Colney Getty

Arsenal are said to have beaten off competition from the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea for the midfielder's signature and make him Arsene Wenger's fourth summer signing following the arrivals of Granit Xhaka, Takuma Asano and Rob Holding. Meanwhile, the French manager has confirmed that he is still in the market to sign at least another defender and an attacker before the close of the transfer window.

"Yes I do (expect to sign a defender before the season star)," the manager was quoted as saying on Arsenal's official website. "We are still on the market for players. [Be it] at the front or at the back − we are on the market. Unfortunately, we are not alone."

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