Catalin Cirjan joined Arsenal from Romanian side Viitorul Domnesti over the summer, fulfilling a childhood dream of his.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 11: Catalin Cirjan signs his 1st Arsenal pro contract at London Colney on December 11, 2019 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 11: Catalin Cirjan signs his 1st Arsenal pro contract at London Colney on December 11, 2019, in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

If you follow the academy, you’ll know 17-year-old Cirjan is in double figures for appearances for the Arsenal u18s this season, providing a few assists along the way. He also scored a nice first goal for the academy in the u18 Premier League Cup.

The midfielder joined from Romania over the summer, and he signed his first professional contract just after his 17th birthday in December.

What you may not have known about Cirjan, is that he followed Arsenal even as a child. The teenager’s father told Daily Cannon his son was a “Thierry Henry fan”. He also provided the video to prove Catalin supported the Gunners at just 4 years old.

From his childhood “dreams” (as Cirjan Sr. put it) to reality. There’s still a long way to go to reach the first team, of course. There’s no better motivation than to play for the club you grew up watching though.

We wish Cirjan the best for the rest of the season with the u18s.