Youth goalkeeper James Hillson has hinted that he’s going to sign for Arsenal this summer, after being released by Reading.

Youth goalkeeper James Hillson joins Arsenal on loan (Photo via ReadingFC.co.uk)
Youth goalkeeper James Hillson (Photo via ReadingFC.co.uk)

Arsenal signed Hillson on an emergency youth loan in February, after a number of injuries to other goalkeepers in the academy.

The 18-year-old was initially only set to remain with the club on loan until the end of the season. However, as his contract with Reading expired this summer, he was free to move to Arsenal if they wanted to keep him permanently.

Though Arsenal haven’t officially confirmed if that’s what they’re going to do, Hillson himself has dropped a major hint that he’s sticking around with the Gunners on his Instagram story:

James Hillson
Photo via Instagram / JamesHillson_

It’s still possible that Hillson is only on trial, and hasn’t signed a contract just yet. Either way, he’s clearly returning to Arsenal for the time being.

Since Hillson was only loaned as cover, he mostly appeared on the bench for the Arsenal u18s and u23s in the final months of last season. He did get a chance to feature for the club in the Dallas Cup though, and he joined first-team training once or twice.

Given he’s now 18, Hillson would have to join the u23s next season, where he’d have Dejan Iliev, Matt Macey and Arthur Okonkwo for competition.