Arsenal hand player 'record-breaking contract' never seen before at the Emirates

An Arsenal player has been handed a “record-breaking” new contract, as per a report.

On Thursday the Gunners announced that midfielder Ethan Nwaneri had signed his first professional contract with the club.

The teenager committed his future to the north Londoners last summer by signing scholarship forms and agreeing to a professional deal when he turns 17.

Nwaneri turned 17 on March 21 and that professional deal has now been confirmed by the club.

The midfield prodigy made headlines back in September 2022 after he became the youngest-ever Premier League player when he made his first-team debut in a 3-0 victory over Brentford.

Arsenal’s academy manager, Per Mertesacker said: “We are extremely proud of Ethan and his journey, from pre-academy to Hale End, then a seamless transition to Sobha Realty Training Centre and then making his first team debut.

“Ethan’s journey now continues, and we will all be there alongside him to support his development. Ethan has a strong ability to master the ball and dominate possession, this is what we are all about at Arsenal Football Club.

“He is someone that will thrive on and off the pitch, he is a strong young gunner and we look forward to working with him during his ongoing development in the years to come.”

Nwaneri, who joined Arsenal in May 2015, has established himself among Hale End’s most promising youth prospects.

Nwaneri became the youngest player in Premier League history when he came on against Brentford in 2022 (Getty)

He is so highly rated that Football Insider claimed earlier this month that the youngster has been given the highest-ever wage for an Arsenal academy player.

When he made his first-team debut in injury time against Brentford, he was aged 15 and 181 days, overtaking Harvey Elliott’s previous record of 16 years and 30 days.

He also came off the bench during Mikel Arteta’s side’s 6-0 Premier League win over West Ham last month.

Upon signing the new deal Nwaneri told Arsenal's official site: “I want to keep pushing towards the first-team, gain as much experience as I can from the players in the first-team and score as many goals as I can in whatever game I’m playing in and just keep pushing.

“I’m just going to keep working and do my best when I get opportunities given.”

Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Mikel Arteta

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.