Arsenal are set to complete the signing of 16-year-old forward Vincent Joseph from Premier League rivals Liverpool
Vincent Joseph
Vincent Joseph has departed Liverpool to join Arsenal
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Teenage centre-forward Vincent Joseph has said his goodbyes to Liverpool as he prepares to embark on a new chapter with Premier League champions Arsenal.
The 16-year-old gem turned down the chance to sign scholarship terms with the Reds amid interest from several top sides including Manchester United and Chelsea.
However, it's Arsenal that have won the race for Joseph's signature, though a final fee still needs to be determined via tribunal.
He has now confirmed his Liverpool exit, writing on Instagram: "After 9 unforgettable years, the time has come to say goodbye. Thank you for the memories, and for making my time here truly special. @liverpoolfc YNWA."
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Joseph is one of several high-profile captures for the club's academy set-up with Arsenal actively striving to improve results at youth-team level.
The attacker already has experience at U18 level with Liverpool, scoring two goals in three games on Merseyside.
He actually made his U18s debut just two months after turning 16 and he found the target after just 10 minutes.
Joseph then scored twice in a 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest which would eventually prove to be his last appearance for Liverpool at U18 level.
He has also been prolific on the international stage, banging in eight goals in nine appearances for England U16s.
Joseph is set to sign scholarship terms with Arsenal, who have also landed a number of other top youth talents in recent months.
Andria Bartishvili
Arsenal are continuing to bolster their youth set-up with Andria Bartishvili set to join
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Mylo Bernard was snapped up from Crystal Palace while Cardiff City midfielder Axel Donczew is also joining the club.
Manchester United youth-team prospects James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye also arrived while long-standing target Igor Tyjon, a striker from Blackburn Rovers, completed a move to north London this summer following two failed bids in January.
Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili will also be arriving next July once he has turned 18 after signing a pre-contract agreement with the Premier League champions.
Republic of Ireland midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna will join from Shamrock Rovers in January while Ecuadorian wonderkids Holger and Edwin Quintero will arrive next August from Independiente del Valle.