Callan Hamill is set to officially complete his move to Arsenal this summer but the 16-year-old signed off in style at St. Johnstone.
A Scotland youth international who has been capped by his country at U17 level, Hamill is capable of playing at centre-back or right-back.
The prospect has been on Arsenal’s radar for some time and has featured for the Gunners’ academy at various points over the past year.
It is anticipated that Hamill will initially sign scholarship terms with Arsenal in July before progressing to a professional contract when he turns 17 in March next year.
Despite having only recently turned 16, Hamill made his senior debut for St. Johnstone last weekend in the final game of the season as he featured as a substitute in a league defeat to Dundee.
Deployed in midfield on that occasion, Hamill pushed forwards to impressive effect and even came close to scoring on one occasion.
Arsenal have taken other Scottish players on trial in recent years and attempting to sign youngsters from that country could be a fruitful exercise given that players from non-European clubs can’t be signed until they are 18.
As far as Hamill is concerned, he should now be full of confidence when his Arsenal career eventually gets underway.
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Jeorge Bird is the author of www.arsenalyouth.wordpress.com Follow him on Twitter @jeorgebird