Arsenal youth defender Maldini Kacurri has completed a late loan move to National League side Morecambe FC, lasting until January 2026.
Maldini Kacurri with Morecambe FC (Photo via Morecambe on Instagram)
Photo via Morecambe on Instagram
Following the closure of the Premier League summer transfer window, there was some frustration that Arsenal hadn’t made more of the loan market with their youth players.
Ismeal Kabia joined League Two Shrewsbury Town and Lucas Nygaard joined Danish third-tier side Brabrand IF, but that was it.
Maldini Kacurri seemed to be one of the more obvious oversights, particularly as the defender then made his senior international debut for Albania over the September break.
If he’s good enough to play senior internationals, why is he still playing u21 club football? It’s almost three years after his debut at that level, and almost one year after his senior debut for Arsenal.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Maldini Kacurri of Arsenal grabs the shirt of Victor Adeboyejo of Bolton Wanderers during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on September 25, 2024. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Fortunately, it seems Arsenal were in agreement on that point, as they announced on Wednesday that Kacurri has joined Morecambe FC on a loan until January 2026.
Kacurri will wear the number five shirt, and manager Ashvir Singh Johal said they’re expecting the 19-year-old to “have an immediate impact on the game”.
With Morecambe playing in the National League, the summer transfer window closing for the top-four divisions in England isn’t relevant, and Kacurri was free to sign after that deadline.
Kacurri joins former Arsenal academy player Miguel Azeez at Morecambe, and they could certainly do with the help. The team scored four at the weekend, but they still only secured a point after conceding just as many.
Sitting bottom of the National League table, Morecambe have conceded 17 goals in six games so far. There’s surely an opening for a centre-back like Kacurri to break into the team.
LONDON, ENGLAND: Josh Nichols of Arsenal controls the ball during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers at Emirates Stadium on September 25, 2024. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
There are still going to be some concerns that Arsenal aren’t utilising the loan market well enough. Kacurri was one of the standout players overlooked, but there was also Tommy Setford, Josh Nichols, Charles Sagoe Jr., and others.
But at least the club have addressed one of the more obvious players in need of a loan. If Kacurri does well, perhaps he can find a move to a higher-tier league in January.
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