Kelechi Nwakali has confirmed on his official Twitter account that he is finally an Arsenal player.

Kelechi Nwakali
Nigeria’s Kelechi Nwakali carries the Fifa Under-17 World Cup trophy on his head in the midst of a crowd gathered to receive the triumphant Nigeria U17 team, the Golden Eaglets, at Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport in Abuja, on November 11, 2015. Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets emerged champions of the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Chile after defeating Mali 2-0. AFP PHOTO / STRINGER (Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)

The player is believed to have signed a five-year deal but is still waiting for his International Transfer Certificate and work permit.

Work permit.

Sigh.

Arsenal, will no doubt try and get a special talent visa and given Kelechi’s track record at youth level so far it’s hard to deny this is exactly what he is, but that matters not to the Home Office.

Anyway, the news comes via AllNigeriaSoccer who have been on top of this whole saga since it first began at the end of last year. They had the information confirmed by Emeka Amajiriaku, the CEO of Nwakali’s now former club.

“Kelechi has signed with Arsenal, it is now a done deal. He signed the contract 3 pm today (Wednesday), ” Amajiriaku told allnigeriasoccer.com.

“His mother and brother Allwell were there. Manchester City loanee Chidiebere Nwakali came all the way from Norway to London to witness his brother signing the contract.”

He wants the number 25 shirt because it was worn by Kanu. Carl Jenkinson might have something to say about that…

Welcome to Arsenal, Kelechi.