Kelechi Nwakali, has confirmed that he’s fulfiled a childhood dream by penning a five-year deal at Arsenal.
The teenager, who captained the victorious Nigeria side at the under-17 World Cup in Chile last year, is believed to have completed a move to the Emirates along with 16-year-old compatriot Samuel Chukwueze.
“I just came back from London, I have signed a five-year contract with Arsenal, ” Nwakali told allnigeriasoccer.com on Wednesday morning.
“So many teams were interested in me but it has been my dream at a tender age to play for Arsenal.”
It’s understood the Gunners beat the likes of Manchester City, West Ham, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Udinese to Nwakali’s signing.
Arsene Wenger revealed in January that negotiations for Nwakali and Chukwueze, who are both associated with the All Star Junior Academy, had progressed well although no confirmation of the deals has been relayed through official channels.
A photo, posted on Instagram by Nigerian football expert Colin Udoh in the aftermath of Wenger’s comments, showed Nwakali meeting Wenger and Ivan Gazidis in the company of ‘Invincible’ Kanu.
Might as well, if they have a touch of iwobi in them should be good signings
it’s not exactly the TR7 contract signing dungeon room, is it?
perhaps that’s the lure. the bright, well-lit room with furniture and stuff.
No, that was Tomas’ personal Metal Dungeon listening room they set up just for him deep below London Colney.
I am a Nigerian and I can tell you that this boy is a star in the making. He will gladen the heart of many an Arsenal fan.
It’s about time something made our hearts glad. Good to hear he is a decent prospect buddy!
I am not Nigerian but I feel the same
Thank you Mr Kanu for your influence in getting him in.
Give Kanu a 5 year contract as well. He looks fit enough.
Yup, and he’ll still only be 29 when his contract expires 😉
Lmao, low blow
What a great news!!! Well done Arsene Wenger and the club. I believe Kanu (Papilo) necessitated the moves.
I’m sure its good news but I find it really difficult to applaud “the next bright star”
Why is it difficult to applaud the next bright star? What do you lose if he is not the next bright star? A clap?
How do you think the first team ended up with the likes of Bellerin, Iwobi, Coquelin, Gibbs, Chambo and a host of other “next bright stars’. Muppet
KAAANUUUUUUUUUUUU
…. BELIEVE IT!!!! Epic piece of commentary by Martin Taylor, in a peaceful time when there were no Chelsea fans.
Boom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkMEnCqIBc4
Cheers for the link – awesome stuff!!
To the chorus of Definition – Blackstar
https://youtu.be/BYfXmW-s3UY?t=1m40s
“One, Two, Three, we’ve got Jeff and Kelechi Nwakali,
They came to rock it on to the tip-top,
Our U21s are gonna be shit hot Y-O”
I am afraid your taste in music is too good for some 🙂 and too obscure for football chanting
Not really a fan of that song but album has some good joints.
Headz aint reddeee
Sweet
Kanu looks short. 🙂
Nigerian support for Arsenal cannot be underestimated, Nigeria has the biggest Arsenal fanbase outside of Europe. Must be very exciting for Nigerian fans with Iwobi showing great promise in his first team outings and the signings of Nwakali and Samuel Chukwueze. It is very heartwarming to see a young talented player choose to play for Arsenal FC over other big clubs and he must be delighted to sign for a club he not only supports but one which will offer him first team chances if he works hard. Welcome to Arsenal!!
Make us proud, Kelechi
He doesn’t look 17 to me.
Kanu is 39.
ish
As much as I hope this isn’t the case. But age cheating is a real problem in Nigeria. There is a reason we (nigeria) kick ass at youth level but the super eagles are meh.
The guys look like they could be 16 so hopefully they are but the likes of kanu and okcha have shown us that age isjust a number
COYG
Look Kanu might be 39 in normal human years but he is about 26 in Kanu years.
Closer to 93 but anyone can mistype..,,
Welcome to Arsenal, Kelechi! Looks like a top prospect. Iwobi will show him the ropes of course.
Pretty sure Kanu must’ve played a huge part in this transfer, him being an Invincible and all.
Welcome Nwakali, I hope you will be remembered for good in the Gunner’s jersey.
Nigerians, congratulations on a step into the future.
❤ kanu v chavski
Nice one Arsene thinking about the future of Arsenal as ever.
I do wish the scouting set-up in Ireland was as thorough. My wife’s cousin is playing for Ireland U17s as a fifteen year old. He was captain of U15 and U16 sides and coveted by Aston Villa, Leicester, Blackburn and his favourite team Man Utd. Utd have gone above and beyond to sign him. Arsenal reps made two calls asking if it’d be ok to approach him, but never followed up. He told me he’d have jumped at the chance as he’s a sensible kid who is interested in getting the best chances. He would’ve liked Southampton due to their… Read more »
You do not realise how good those two were. During the World cup they were miles above the rest and they won the final comfortably. We cannot devellop a whole ploton of players to the risk of them not having enough game time. Arsenal made the choice and I beleive their scout is already well above average. The player has to fit the arsenal way as most as possible and at the end of the day it”s a gamble
Welcome to The Arsenal!
So happy arsenal is getting back to signing African players and especially Nigerian/Nigerian descent players.
Arsenal is a fucking big deal in naija and we were disappointed that arsenal cancelled the preseason match here a few summers ago.
On a side note happy these guys are choosing to play for Nigeria (The super eagles are even more frustrating than the gunners) but the prospect of iwobi & Co being the future of two great teams is jizz worthy.
Come on arsenal. Naija till I die
Welcome to Arsenal lads.
I will never forget Kanu effortlessly leaping over Wiltord’s head when he scored and we won at Old Trafford!
Funny how Arsenal’s fanbase became so big in Africa because of the barren spell without trophies. Arsenal is the Most supported English club in Africa. The entire Continent besides South Africa (United) and Ivory coast (Drogba) is dominated by Arsenal. People dont even know the Invincibles existed. Logical people chose support this team not because of big signings trophies. Fans were not attracted to the podium finishes or the transfer market competition. We live on a continent were we know the value of money and the only team worth a person’s hard earned money is Arsenal. Arsenal is supported by… Read more »
i find this to be a very moving comment, and in my opinion sums up nicely, what it feels like be a gooner…..anywhere in the world,
BOTH OF YOU WELCOME TO THE ARSENAL. WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST THE ARSENAL HAVE TO OFFER AND YOU TOO PRODUCE YOUR BEST AND WISH YOU LESS OF INJURY TIMES IN NORTH LONDON
me and Samuel shared the same pitch together.
I can remember when he nutmeg me, I will nt forget that day.
he s a very good player
One love Arsenal for signing the best kids. Fabregas and Vella were also exceptional at youth world cups. Also a great thing to see another countrymate signed at Arsenal.