Arsenal have confirmed a new professional contract for Billy Vigar, stepping up from his scholarship deal with the club.

Arsenal confirmed on Friday that Billy Vigar has signed a professional contract with the club. The 18-year-old’s old deal came to an end this summer.

“I’m absolutely delighted to sign my professional contract,” Vigar said.

“I feel honoured to be in this position and I can’t wait to push forwards, see what I can achieve at this club, get the best out of my ability and push towards the first team.”

It’s no surprise that Vigar has signed a new deal. His participation in Arsenal’s most recent u21 friendly confirmed he was remaining with the club, and he’d already told the club’s matchday programme he was set to sign.

But it’s always nice to get confirmation, as we know agreements in football can fall apart at any time.

There was certainly a point at which it seemed unlikely we’d reach this stage.

Due to injuries, Vigar only made six appearances (one start) from the start of the 2020/21 campaign until mid-November of this season.

Even when the teenager returned to action with a goal against West Ham in November, he took a while to really get going.

As you’d expect with a player returning from a long time out, Vigar’s first few starts didn’t bear much fruit. Yet things turned around at the end of February.

The striker scored three goals and assisted two in the final nine games of the u18 campaign, and he was involved in a few other goals as Arsenal’s form experienced a dramatic upturn.

Vigar was absolutely a key part of the late revival for Dan Micciche’s side. He arguably would have scored more if he’d started more at centre-forward, but he was often needed out wide instead.

He’ll now step up to the u23s after signing his new contract.