Southampton have completed the signing of Arsenal youngster, David Osaretin Agbontohoma, on a two-year scholarship deal.

Agbontohoma made his league debut for the Arsenal u18 side against Leicester in October after making the bench for the first time in August of last year. He replaced Miguel Azeez after 76 minutes.  Arsenal lost that game 2-0, although many of the squad had been called up to the u23s for their game against Tottenham a few days later.

Agbontohoma was one of six players to make their debut in that match.

The player is part of Southampton’s youth intake ahead of the new season.

Southampton first-year scholars:

  • Jack Bycroft
  • James Morris
  • Michael Saunders
  • Ryan Cluett
  • Ethan Burnett
  • Callum Watts
  • Lucas Defise
  • Roland Idowu (joins from St Joseph’s Boys AFC)
  • David Osaretin Agbontohoma (joins from Arsenal)
  • Allan Tchaptchet (joins from French club, Sannois Saint-Gratien)
  • Pascal Kpohomouh (joins from Man City)
  • Benni Smales-Braithwaite (joins from Man City)
  • Seamas Keogh (joins from Irish club, Sligo Rovers)
  • Rio Glean (joins from Tottenham Hotspur)
  • Caleb Watts (joins from QPR)

“It’s an exciting time, the first-year scholars have started full-time at the club last week,” Academy manager, Matt Hale told the official Southampton website.

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“We’ve bought some boys through the levels from the age of 8, who’ve been rewarded for their hard work with a scholarship, but we’ve also recruited a few players from outside of the club who we’ve monitored for some time.

“We are certainly excited by what we’ve seen in these young players, it’s a good group with plenty of competition for places.

“It’s been good to see them all back, in the professional phase now. They’ve been running hard and they’ve seen a football as well, so everyone’s pleased!”

This follows Armstrong Okoflex, a 16-year-old striker, signing for Celtic as the Arsenal youth overhaul continues.

Okoflex, who hails from Dublin, played for Tolka Rovers before he was spotted by Arsenal five years ago.

The teenager, who can play on the left wing or as a striker, made seven appearances for Arsenal’s u18s last season, scoring one and assisting one.

Okoflex has represented both England and Ireland at youth level. “Ireland is where I’m from but England is financially better and the grounds are amazing,” he said last summer. “I enjoy playing with both but obviously I’m Irish so I feel the connection with them.”

Okoflex only turned 16 in March and had trials with West Ham and Tottenham before opting to sign for Arsenal when he was just 11.

Neither Arsenal nor Celtic have confirmed the move at the time of writing.

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