Arsenal
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal have officially announced that 18-year-old striker Daniel Oyetunde has signed his first professional contract with the club, marking a significant milestone in his development and reinforcing the Gunners’ continued commitment to nurturing talent through their famed Hale End academy.
The deal, confirmed via the club’sofficial website, secures Oyetunde’s future at Arsenal after a steady rise through the youth ranks since joining at the under-15 level in 2021. Following the successful completion of a two-year scholarship, the London-born forward will now become a full-time member of the Under-21 squad for the 2025/26 season.
Oyetunde, who is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria at international level, expressed his delight in an interview with Arsenal Media. “I joined as an under-15, so this is my fifth year at the club,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every step, learnt a lot while I’ve been here. Obviously, my scholarship over the last two years, I’ve learnt an immense amount from the coaches and the players I’ve played with. So this next year will be very interesting as well.”
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His journey at Arsenal began with a memorable debut goal against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, a club that had previously passed on him following a trial. That goal marked the start of his ascent, and he has since become a regular contributor at youth level, scoring four goals in 28 appearances for the Under-18s and featuring in the UEFA Youth League for the Under-19s. Notably, he made his Under-21 debut as a schoolboy in a Premier League Cup clash against Burnley, underlining his early potential.
Arsenal - Daniel Oyetunde
Daniel Oyetunde (Image credit: Getty Images)
A versatile attacker known for his intelligent movement, dribbling, and ability to play both centrally and out wide, Oyetunde has earned praise for his composure in key moments. One standout example was his coolly taken penalty in the Under-18s’ FA Youth Cup fourth-round win over QPR last season, an indicator of his growing maturity and confidence in high-pressure situations.
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Inspiration has never been far from home for the young striker, who named Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and current first-team star Bukayo Saka as his role models. “Some of my biggest inspirations would be Thierry Henry and in the current first team, maybe Bukayo Saka,” he said.
Oyetunde’s signing comes as part of a broader wave of academy progress, with fellow talents Louie Copley, Cam’ron Ismail, and Will Sweet also recently penning professional contracts. Arsenal’s investment in youth development continues to pay dividends, with the pathway to the first team well established through the emergence of standout prospects like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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