Andrey Santos Chelsea
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have officially announced the signing of 17-year-old defenderMarcell Washington to their academy setup following the expiration of his contract with London rivals Chelsea.
The highly-rated left-back, who impressed during a trial spell with the Gunners last season, has penned his first professional contract and will link up with the club’s Under-21 squad for the 2025/26 campaign, as confirmed on Arsenal’s official website.
Washington, son of former Chelsea and England international Ryan Bertrand who famously started in the 2012 Champions League final win over Bayern Munich, brings both pedigree and versatility to Arsenal’s youth ranks. Capable of playing at left-back or further forward on the wing, he made eight appearances for Arsenal’s Under-21s and featured twice for the Under-18s during his trial period last season, showcasing a blend of attacking flair and composure on the ball.
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His journey to Arsenal comes after a difficult spell at Chelsea, where injuries and limited opportunities hindered his development across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. Initially recruited into the Blues’ academy from grassroots football in his schoolboy years, Washington struggled for consistent game time, prompting Arsenal to offer him a lifeline with a trial opportunity. His standout performances including an assist in a high-scoring 6-4 loss to Tottenham Hotspur’s Under-18s, caught the attention of academy manager Per Mertesacker and Under-21 coach Mehmet Ali.
Arsenal - Marcell Washington
Marcell Washington (Image credit: Getty Images)
Reflecting on his signing, Washington remained grounded in his ambitions: “I feel like just because I’ve signed this contract doesn’t necessarily mean that I’ve made it,” he told Arsenal’s website. “It’s been such an honour to have my dad take me through clips and walk me through games. He’s really passionate about making me a better player and probably a better version of him.”
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The teenager also revealed he draws inspiration from current first-team stars Jurrien Timber and Ben White, as well as academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, citing their work ethic and tactical intelligence as models to learn from.
Arsenal’s academy has built a strong reputation for developing elite talent, with recent breakthroughs such as Ethan Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly reinforcing its status as one of the most productive youth systems in England. Washington’s arrival further signals the club’s intent to continue investing in promising young players, including those from rival academies.
Speculation about Washington’s move intensified earlier this month when he was spotted wearing Arsenal’s No. 55 shirt during Under-21 pre-season training sessions. His switch was made official following the expiry of his Chelsea scholarship contract on June 30.
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