The Arsenal defender is set to move to Grimsby Town.placeholder image
The Arsenal defender is set to move to Grimsby Town. | Getty Images
Grimsby Town are set to sign the Arsenal defender after his loan recall earlier this month.
Arsenal are expected to finalise the sale of defender Maldini Kacurri to League Two outfit Grimsby Town on Friday after the 20-year-old passed a medical at the club.
The Albania international has been on the books at the Emirates Stadium since 2022, coming through the youth academy after a stint at Fulham as a youngster. Kacurri had been on loan at Morecambe this season, winning back-to-back Player of the Month awards.
The defender was recalled by the Gunners at the start of January after 18 appearances and one goal with Arsenal looking for a new departure. That now appears to be found in Grimsby Town.
Arsenal agree deal to sell defender to League Two club
Providing an update on the deal on Thursday, transfer specialist Pete O’Rourke wrote: “Arsenal defender Maldini Kacurri has passed his medical at Grimsby and agreed an 18-month deal with the League Two club with the move set to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.”
Kacurri in action for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers.placeholder image
Kacurri in action for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers. | Getty Images
Kacurri has one senior Arsenal appearance to his name, which came as a substitute in the 5-1 Carabao Cup win over Bolton Wanderers last season. It’s claimed that the Gunners have a sell-on clause as part of the deal with the youngster still capable of going on to achieve big things.
Grimsby Town sit ninth in League Two and are looking to push for promotion. The club made headlines earlier this season when knocking Manchester United out of the Carabao Cup in August.
Kacurri to join in-form Grimsby Town
The Mariners have won their last six matches without conceding a goal in a head-turning run of form. Kacurri will slot into that defence but is unlikely to be eligible to face MK Dons on Saturday.
Kacurri was singled out for praise when representing the Arsenal under-21 side in September 2024. After a win over Leyton Orient in the EFL Trophy under-21 boss Mehmet Ali gave the player a ‘special mention’ and hailed his ability to pick up second balls as ‘excellent’.
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When signing a new professional contract with the club earlier that year, the player said: I’m very happy. This is something that I’ve been working towards my whole life. I feel very proud of myself, and my family are very proud of me, so all in all I’m very happy and can’t wait to keep going.
“Since the start I’ve felt very welcome. I settled in straight away and really enjoy it here. It’s a very nice club to be at. It’s good to pay off my family’s efforts a little bit, but of course there’s a lot more hard work that needs to be done.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision at all to commit my future here. It’s a great club, I’ve learned a lot here and I’ve improved so much. I can only see myself improve even more so it’s a no-brainer really.”
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