Arsenal are poised to sign Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili in 2027 once the teenager has turned 18 in March
Andria Bartishvili
Arsenal's new wonderkid Andria Bartishvili will be playing Conference League football this season
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UEFA have confirmed that Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili, who is set to sign for Arsenal, has been included in Iberia 1999's Conference League squad for the coming season.
It's a boost for the Gunners as the 17-year-old will be handed the chance to gain some crucial senior experience in a European competition before he arrives in north London in 2027.
Bartishvili has now completed his medical checks with the Premier League champions and looks set to sign his contract, though he can't formally become an Arsenal player until he has turned 18 on March 30.
He will team up with Mikel Arteta's squad next summer for pre-season, however, it's still too early to say whether he will predominantly be involved with the first-team.
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The expectation is that he will be involved with the club's U21s while also participating in senior training sessions but that's a long way off at this moment.
Bartishvili is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 until January meaning he can compete in all of their Conference League group phase matches.
The Tbilisi-based outfit are the first Georgian club to compete in the group stages of a European competition in 22 years after beating Northern Irish side Larne 2-1 in the third-qualifying round.
Matches against Sint-Truidense VV, Swedish side Mjalby, FC Copenhagen, Getafe, Red Star Belgrade and Polish team Jablonec now beckon.
The exciting teenager has drawn comparisons to both Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kevin De Bruyne due to his dribbling and creative qualities.
Andria Bartishvili
Andria Bartishvili will join Arsenal next summer once he has turned 18(Image: Levan Verdzeuli/Getty Images)
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Arsenal recruitment chief Maurizio Michaelli, Andrea Berta's trusted assistant, is understood to have played a key role throughout the process, even travelling to Eastern Europe to watch Bartishvili in action.
He is believed to have agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners, who have made a big push to bolster their academy ranks this year.
Igor Tyjon was signed from Blackburn Rovers, midfielder Axel Donczew was snapped up from Cardiff City while Tottenham defender Elijah Upson and Manchester United duo James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye were also recruited alongside Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace and Vincent Joseph from Liverpool.
Victor Ozhianvuna and Ecuadorian brothers Holger and Edwin Quintero are also set to join the club in 2027. All three talents have already visited the club ahead of their impending transfers.