Arsenal academy player finally confirms transfer to Leicester City

Former Arsenal youngster Bless Akolbire has finally officially confirmed his transfer to Leicester City, signing professional terms with his new club.

Arsenal academy youngster Bless Akolbire has confirmed his transfer to Leicester City, sharing pictures of his contract signing on Instagram.

“Proud moment to sign my first professional contract,” Akolbire wrote. “Thank you to my Family and brothers to get me to this point, Praise God.”

It’s been clear for a while that Akolbire was joining Leicester, but there’s been a long wait for any kind of official confirmation.

After a trial with Leicester earlier in the season, Akolbire has featured in their last three u18 fixtures against Reading, Chelsea, and West Ham United. On top of that, the Premier League have listed the player with Leicester’s u21 players, rather than Arsenal’s.

Yet even after the Premier League published the squad lists, reports suggested Akolbire hadn’t put pen to paper on his contract. Hence no official confirmation from the clubs.

Now that the deal is signed, Akolbire is officially a Leicester player, and his chapter with Arsenal is at an end.

Akolbire had made 19 appearances for the Arsenal u18s since his debut at that level in 2022. He now looks set to continue his development a little further north.

Arteta may choose to add another forward to his options, with Ismeal Kabia the obvious choice. But midfielder Oulad M’Hand could be the better option, particularly given he’s also capable of playing in the front three.

Arsenal will also have extra room on the bench for the upcoming Champions League tie against PSV, due to the expanded 23-man squads in the competition.

So even if Oulad M’Hand misses out against Forest, he should be on the bench against PSV. Just as he was for the last game against Girona.