Cameron Smith
Mikel Arteta, Arsenal
© IMAGO
Arsenal wonderkid Marli Salmon has officially signed a pre-contract agreement at the Emirates Stadium, the club have confirmed.
The 16-year-old has made four senior appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side this season and he has now put pen to paper on an agreement to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 in August.
Salmon signed scholarship terms at Arsenal last summer and he will be rewarded with a long-term professional deal later this year.
“It's a very big moment for me, for my family as well,” Salmon told the official Arsenal website" href="https://www.arsenal.com/news/marli-salmon-commits-his-future-arsenal" target="_blank">the official Arsenal website following confirmation of the agreement. “I'm very proud. I’ve been at the academy since I was nine and I just want to give everything to the club.
“I’m an Arsenal supporter, and I’ve had some great memories so far. I’m so proud to have made my debut this season, I just want to keep pushing on still, keep my levels high and try to get as much experience as I can in the first team.”
Salmon joined the Arsenal academy as a nine-year-old back in 2019 and he made his competitive debut for the north London giants during their 3-0 win over Club Brugge in the Champions League in December.
His next appearance came against Portsmouth in the FA Cup fourth round, while he made his home debut versus Wigan Athletic in the fifth round. His first start for Arsenal came during the 2-1 win over Mansfield Town in the last-16.
He is yet to feature in the Premier League, although he has been included in the matchday squad on three occasions so far this season - against Aston Villa, Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth.
Salmon follows in the footsteps of fellow 16-year-old wonderkid Max Dowman, who also signed a pre-contract agreement back in January. He will pen professional terms with Arsenal following his 17th birthday on 31 December.
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