Arsenal’s future looks bright as academy graduates, Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey, and Naomi Williams, have penned their first professional contracts.

This commitment to their childhood club sets a promising trajectory for their careers and reinforces Arsenal’s reputation for nurturing talent from within.

• Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey, and Naomi Williams, all products of the Arsenal Academy, sign their first professional contracts with the club.
• Aged 17, Agyemang has already made her senior debut and will sign a professional contract when she turns 18, Godfrey and Williams, both 18, have fully committed to their professional journeys.
• The players express gratitude and excitement about their new professional phase, emphasising the familial and encouraging atmosphere at Arsenal.

Three of Arsenal’s most promising young talents, Michelle Agyemang, Freya Godfrey, and Naomi Williams have committed their future to the club by signing their first professional contracts.

Michelle Agyemang’s promising path

Michelle, a player with the club since she was six, has showcased her talent by ascending through the ranks to make her senior debut in the club’s Barclays Women’s Super League win against Leicester City in November 2022.

The 17-year-old, who will ink her professional contract upon turning 18 in February, said of her experience, “This club is like a family to me, so it’s really exciting to be committing to this club and I can’t wait for what the future holds.”

Freya Godfrey’s journey to the first team

Freya, who joined Arsenal at 12, spent last season at Ipswich Town on a dual-registration agreement. Despite this, she managed to make two appearances for Arsenal’s first team.

She described the moment as “an unbelievable feeling” and is eager to replicate the success of past academy graduates.

Naomi Williams: Ready to make her mark

Naomi, an Arsenal player since the age of 13, frequently featured in the matchday squads last season. She spoke of her pride at signing her first professional contract and how she looks forward to demonstrating her value on the pitch.

Clare Wheatley, Head of Women’s Football, said, “We’re thrilled to see Michelle, Freya, and Naomi transition from the academy to professional contracts.

“It’s a testament to their hard work and the strength of our development pathway here at Arsenal. We believe they have a great future ahead and we’re committed to their continued growth.”

Following the Footsteps of the Greats

Arsenal’s academy has a strong reputation for developing footballing talent. Current stars like Leah Williamson and Bukayo Saka all ascended through the ranks from the academy to first-team regulars. The journey for Michelle, Freya, and Naomi is only just beginning, but the trust and investment shown by Arsenal is a substantial validation of their talent and potential.

Manager Jonas Eidevall stated, “We have a strong belief in the talents emerging from our academy. Michelle, Freya, and Naomi have shown fantastic commitment and potential. We look forward to helping them develop further and seeing them reach their full potential.”

The hope is that these three talented youngsters can add to the long list of successful academy graduates who have gone on to shine in both of Arsenal’s first teams.

With the guidance and nurturing environment that the Arsenal academy is known for, the future indeed looks promising for Agyemang, Godfrey, and Williams. Their new contracts signal a fresh chapter in their careers, one that could potentially be filled with exceptional moments and significant achievements.

These signings reinforce Arsenal’s commitment to investing in youth talent, showing once again that the future of the club lies not only in buying established stars but also in nurturing and developing its own.