Arsenal have agreed to sign the Quintero twins from Independiente Del Valle with Edwin and Holger to officially join in 2027
One of Arsenal's newest academy signings, Edwin Quintero has been compared to Neymar
One of Arsenal's newest academy signings, Edwin Quintero has been compared to Neymar
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Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero are set to join Arsenal in 2027. Though they're seen as youth players and will begin in the club's academy, there is hope for a swift promotion to the first-team squad.
The Independiente Del Valle pair have been tipped for a promising future, making the Gunners' early move hardly surprising. Arsenal have successfully nurtured several talented stars through their academy in recent years, including Bukayo Saka, Ethan Nwaneri, Myles Lewis Skelly and Max Dowman.
The Quintero twins exemplify this shift, with Arsenal eyeing the future as some of their attacking stars age. Emerging from the same academy that produced Pierro Hincapie, along with Chelsea's Moises Caicedo and Kendry Paez, it seems highly likely that they will have bright futures, and Arsenal will be hoping that's in north London.
There isn't much information available on the duo, but both teenagers have represented Ecuador's youth teams, and Edwin has impressed with three goal contributions from six appearances at the under-17s South America Championship.
The previous year, he contributed to three goals again as the Ecuador Under-15s reached the South American Championship finals, only to lose to Paraguay in a penalty shootout.
He's been likened to a young Neymar, due to his speed and skill as a right winger who can also operate in midfield. Holger, on the other hand, favours playing in central attacking positions.
Arsenal have already secured a pre-agreement with another promising talent, Victor Ozhianvuna, who is set to join from Shamrock Rovers in 2027 when he turns 18.
It's been a period of highs and lows for Arsenal's youth setup, with the Under-21s currently languishing in 14th place in Premier League 2, while the Under-19s have had a tough time in this season's UEFA Youth League.
The recent victory over Bayern Munich was their first in European competition after four straight losses.
(Image: (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images))
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That 4-2 win against Bayern Munich was also notable for Luis Munoz making history by becoming the youngest player ever to feature in the UEFA Youth League at just 13-years-old.
Dowman also netted a fantastic goal in that match, having already become the youngest player ever to appear in the Champions League at just 15 years and 308 days old.
He also holds the record for being the youngest player to start a game for Arsenal, having been named in the starting lineup for the team's recent Carabao Cup match against Brighton.
However, there have been concerns about the progression from the academy to the first team, with Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi recently moving to Manchester United.