Arsenal youth defender Ryan Alebiosu is on the verge of a season-long loan to Kilmarnock, according to reports from Scotland.

FootballScotland report that Kilmarnock are closing in on a season-long loan for Ryan Alebiosu. The Scottish side are in the market for defensive reinforcements, and Alebiosu fits the bill.

Arsenal are looking for a loan to allow Alebiosu to play regular minutes in a competitive league, following his loan to Crewe Alexandra in League One last season.

Though that January loan appeared to start well, with Alebiosu immediately breaking into the starting lineup, he then suffered a back injury.

Following two months on the sidelines, the Arsenal loanee returned in time for the final couple of games of the season. In the end, he only made six appearances for Crewe.

Kilmarnock play in the Scottish top-tier, which proved a good stepping stone for fellow Arsenal younger Harry Clarke in recent seasons.

Clarke started his senior career on loan to Oldham Athletic in League Two, but after spending last season with Ross County and Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership he’s now on loan at Stoke in the Championship.

That year in Scotland helped Clarke to bridge the gap between League Two and the Championship, so Alebiosu will hope it can do the same for him.