Norwich City have confirmed the signing of Arsenal academy teenager Josh Martin, after he completed a successful trial period with the club.
Martin has already played three games for Norwich City’s u18s over the last two months, against Brighton, Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. Clearly, he impressed the club during that trial, because they’ve now tied him down to a professional contract, as announced on their website on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old is a left-winger, and he was struggling for opportunities with Arsenal. Over the last two seasons he’d only made four Arsenal appearances at u18 level, so he’s already almost matched that with his Norwich trial alone.
Speaking to Canaries.co.uk after the move, Martin confirmed that was a big part of the reason he decided to leave the club he’s been with since he was eight.
“I’m delighted to be here, and it’s the best move I could have had,” Martin began. “I had been at Arsenal since I was eight, so since I was very young. I came here because they [Norwich City] are giving young players opportunities, and they are a team on the up so I think that’s the best opportunity you can get.
“The environment is really good here. I get along with my teammates really well; there is a lot of chemistry in the team and I think we can play well together.”
The teenager is certainly ambitious, and he’s hoping to progress up into the first team and eventually win the Premier League with Norwich, as Leicester City did in 2015/16.
“My aims for the rest of the season are to help the Under-18s to climb up in the table in the remaining games that I have, and play as many games as I can with the Under-23s.
“I know there’s a pathway here that can bring me to the First Team, and when I get into the First Team my aim is to come here and do what Leicester [City] did. That’s my aim, because if they can do it then Norwich can.”
After almost 10 years of development with Arsenal, let’s hope Martin can go on to become a top player for his new club. Good luck to him.