9 September 2026·By [Paul Vegas](/author/paul-vegas)
Arsenal have signed 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace, the latest addition in the Gunners' aggressive pursuit of young talent from rival academies.
Bernard has signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal and joins as a first-year scholar, with professional terms to follow once he turns 17 next year.
The move comes after his contract situation at Crystal Palace lapsed, with Arsenal required only to pay a training compensation fee rather than negotiate a transfer with their London rivals.
The striker scored more than 40 goals for Palace's academy sides last season, form that also earned him a step up to the club's Under-18s despite his age, where he netted six times in the Under-18 Premier League from just 708 minutes on the pitch. His performances have also been recognised at international level, with four goals in eight appearances for England's Under-16s.
Bernard becomes one of several academy recruits at Arsenal this summer, joining Elijah Upson from Tottenham Hotspur and Axel Donczew from Cardiff City among a wider intake that has also included Igor Tyjon from Blackburn Rovers, James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United, and goalkeeper Phoenix Blayney on a pre-contract from Larne, as the Gunners continue to target the best emerging talent from academies across the country and beyond.
Bernard marked his exit from Selhurst Park with a heartfelt message on Instagram, reflecting on eight years at the club.
"After eight unforgettable years at Crystal Palace, I have decided to say goodbye," he wrote. "I have grown up playing for Crystal Palace and it has provided so many wonderful moments in blue and red.
> "Crystal Palace has shaped me as a person and a player, becoming a crucial part of my life. It has always been a pleasure playing at the club over the last few years and this part of my journey will always have a place with me.
"Thank you to all my coaches and teammates that have pushed me to become a better player and have helped me in my journey at the club. I will forever be grateful for the past eight years I've had with this club."