Arsenal announced this week that Omari Hutchinson has signed his first professional contract with the club, after turning 17 last month.
Arsenal posted on Thursday to confirm that Omari Hutchinson recently signed his first professional contract with the club. The u18 midfielder turned 17 last month, making him eligible for the deal.
We already had a major hint at the announcement, after Arsenal included the player on their Europa League B list.
There are lots of restrictions for the B list. You have to be under 21, you have to have spent over two years with your club, but you also have to have a professional contract. So Hutchinson’s inclusion gave it away that he was getting one.
All the same, it’s exciting news to get confirmation, as Hutchinson is a promising young talent.
Playing for the u18s this season, he has five assists in seven games so far. Arguably he deserves six, but a deflection on one of his passes robbed him of one. You can watch all his assists from this campaign in this video.
Omari Hutchinson / @omarihutch7
Another quick highlights video, this time to celebrate Hutchinson’s new pro. Arsenal deal. 5 (and a half) assists this season in his first 7 games #AFC pic.twitter.com/2fLRQaDRTg
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) November 12, 2020
As he’s only stepping up from the u16s to the u18s this season, don’t expect to see Hutchinson in the first-team imminently. Arsenal will take their time, progressing him to the u23s when he’s ready and the senior side after that.
Although he often plays in the middle as an attacking midfielder, Hutchinson can also play at left-back. His creative talents and finishing seemingly make him more likely to end up in forward areas in the older age groups.