James Scanlon only made three starts for Swindon Town (Image: Andy Crook)
James Scanlon only made three starts for Swindon Town (Image: Andy Crook)
Former Swindon Town loanee James Scanlon has completed a surprise move from Manchester United to Arsenal.
The Gibraltar international, who spent part of last season on loan at Swindon Town, has joined the Premier League champions, where he will link up with the club’s academy squad.
The 19-year-old made six appearances for Swindons after joining on loan last January, scoring one goal, in a difficult spell as Town tailed off in the second half of last season.
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Scanlon joins Arsenal alongside a group of other academy signings, including Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers, Axel Donczew from Cardiff City, and full-back Habeeb Ogunneye, who previously played for Manchester United alongside Scanlon.
Having struggled to adapt to League Two, it is a surprise to see Scanlon make this move, as well as Ogunneye, who was on loan at Newport County last season.
The moves come as part of Arsenal’s efforts to strengthen their under-21 squad for the coming season.
Scanlon said of his time at Swindon: "It was different to what I've been used to, but just as valuable.
"Learning how senior dressing rooms are, what the standards are like day-in, day-out.
"[I learned] what it can be like in a league like League Two, which is not always easy, so it was a massive learning for me, but positive on the whole."