Earlier this week, Kalmar FF completed the signing of Charles Sagoe Jr from Arsenal on loan until January 2027.
Kalmar FF sporting director Mats Winblad has expressed his delight over securing a deal with Mikel Arteta’s side. His side had kept a close watch on the 21-year-old for several months before signing him on loan.
The Arsenal owned player was also excited to get going at his new club.
Fotbollskanalen have now published a detailed interview with the winger on how his loan move took shape. The outlet insists his transfer ‘came as a bolt from the blue and caused quite a stir’ as he arrived from a ‘high profile’ club like Arsenal.
He climbed through the ranks of the Gunners youth system and made his first team debut in September 2023.
Arteta started the winger in the north London club’s EFL Cup win over Brentford and that has been his only senior appearance for Arsenal. Sagoe Jr’s failure to cement a place at the Emirates led to loan move to Swansea City in January 2024.
Sagoe Jr explains Arsenal exit on loan
The north London club then let him join Shrewsbury Town on loan in August 2024. He returned to Arsenal in January 2025 and had to settle for minutes with their U21s.
“I felt I needed a fresh start and an opportunity to show what I can do,” he said.
“When I found out that Kalmar was interested in me, I did my research. I spoke with the sporting director, the coach, and others at the club. Everyone spoke so highly of the club and how hard everyone here works to develop. It felt like the right place for me to develop into first-team football.”
Gunners role in development
On his time at Arsenal, Sagoe Jr explained: “Arsenal have developed me into the player and person I am today. I will always be eternally grateful that I became part of Arsenal at such a young age. The club has constantly shaped me, pushed me, and given me the opportunity to improve at all levels. I hope to take a lot of that with me to this loan spell in Kalmar.”
When asked whether Arsenal players wished him on his loan move to Kalmar FF, he added: “Yes, absolutely. Everyone has been very supportive of this new step in my career. I’ve received a lot of messages from players wishing me luck. I’m grateful for them and will take everything I’ve learned from them with me into this new challenge.”