Arsenal have signed 17-year-old defender Marcell Washington following the expiry of his contract at Chelsea.
The highly rated left-back was previously on trial with the Gunners for more than two months and made seven appearances in Premier League 2 during that period.
He is now set to sign a professional contract with the north London club following eight years at Chelsea’s academy.
Known for his composure in possession and athleticism down the flank, he was a regular for the Blues’ Under-18 side and has also been capped by England at Under-16 level.
His decision to leave Stamford Bridge was part of a wider shake-up in Chelsea’s youth ranks, with several academy players moving on this summer.
Arsenal acted quickly to bring Washington in, and he has impressed during his trial spell, featuring in a string of matches for the Under-21s.
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The defender is expected to continue with the Under-21 squad next season as he looks to build on his promising development.
Led by academy manager Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s youth system has seen several players transition into the first-team environment in recent seasons, including Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Washington’s arrival highlights Arsenal’s continued focus on strengthening their academy setup, with the club seeking to attract top talent from across the country.
The Gunners have been particularly active in targeting players released or unsettled at rival Premier League academies.
Although primarily a left-back, Washington initially featured for the Blues as a left-winger and has impressed with his versatility.
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