Bowen Phillips confirmed his transfer from West Ham to Arsenal this week, and the youth player has already provided an assist against his old club.
Earlier this week, West Ham United youth midfielder Bowen Phillips confirmed his transfer to Arsenal, and the youngster has already shown his old club what they’re missing.
Posting on Instagram on Wednesday, Phillips announced his move and admitted the Gunners are the club he’s supported since he was a child.
“Happy to be offered a contract with my boyhood club Arsenal,” Phillips wrote.
“Thank you to all the staff at West Ham who have helped me to become the player I am now and can’t wait to see them one day in the future. The hard work starts now.”
But in the very same week, Phillips found himself facing off against West Ham as a substitute for the Arsenal u15s, and he wasted no time having an impact.
Picking the ball up in the centre of the pitch, Phillips feinted a pass out to the winger before cutting inside, then playing a through ball with the outside of his foot on the inside of the defender.
The ball was nicely weighted for a first-time finish, giving Phillips an assist on his debut.
Phillips isn’t the only player to make a move from West Ham to Arsenal this year, of course, and Declan Rice may be set to face off against his old club in midweek.
Arsenal Youth report that Phillips will be eligible for a scholarship deal with Arsenal from the 2025/26 campaign.
It’s not uncommon for youth players to move between the London clubs at this age, before they get tied down to the longer-term contracts that make it more difficult to prise them away.
With Phillips already a supporter of the Gunners, he’ll be happy to be off the mark with his boyhood club, even at the expense of his former side.