Omari Hutchinson is now making his name for Ipswich Town
Omari Hutchinson is now making his name for Ipswich Town
Omari Hutchinson has named the two Arsenal players he looked up to while in the club's academy - but admits their fashion sense led to him wasting money on designer gear.
The Ipswich Town winger is now forging a Premier League career at Portman Road but was once a promising teenager at Arsenal. The 21-year-old spent seven years with the Gunners during his formative years, before moving to Chelsea and then onto the Tractor Boys.
Hutchinson signed his first professional deal with Arsenal in 2020 and became a star of the north London side's under-18s and under-21s. As he was learning to find his way in the changing rooms at London Colney, it was those ahead of him in the academy pipeline from which he gained inspiration.
Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock, now at Fulham and Newcastle United respectively, stood out beyond the others, not just as talented players but as stylish members of the squad. Trying to match them saw Hutchinson fall foul of wasting his first wages however.
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“I remember my first paycheque," Hutchinson told GQ. "Bought the Canada Goose coat straight away. LV washbag. Those Balenciaga sock trainers.
“I know. The footballer starter pack, innit. But when I was young, I wasn’t thinking about putting anything together. I just looked up to the stylish players in the dressing room – Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock. When you see players like that – in their Gooses and Moncler – you just want to be part of it.
"I wanted nice stuff, designer brands. But I’d buy in bulk. I don’t know what I was thinking. I regret that. I only buy something for a special occasion now. I was wasting my money.”
Omari Hutchinson posing to take a photograph
Omari Hutchinson says he bought the footballer starter pack with his first paycheque
"I grew up on hand-me-downs, borrowing clothes from friends,” he added. “So when I started getting money, I just wanted to buy everything. I wanted to have the best drip. But now that I'm older, I just wear all-black fits. And so now when I do wear a bit of colour, people notice."
After failing to agree a contract extension at Arsenal in 2022, Hutchinson moved to Chelsea on a free transfer. Another season of under-21 football followed before the youngster moved on loan to Ipswich in the Championship.
The Redhill-born star started his life in Suffolk as an impact player from the bench but had a crucial impact on Kieran McKenna's team earning promotion. Hutchinson bagged 10 goals and convinced the Tractor Boys to sign him on a permanent deal.
Ipswich paid a club record fee for the star, who signed a five-year deal. Hutchinson has started each of the team's Premier League matches but one, which he missed through illness.
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