Wealdstone FC appear to have signed former Arsenal academy defender Henry Jeffcott, one of the last free agents from the Gunners’ batch of released players last summer.
When Wealdstone FC named their squad to face Gateshead FC last weekend, former Gunner Henry Jeffcott was on the bench.
Jeffcott has been out of contract since leaving Arsenal last summer, despite being a youth international with the Northern Ireland u19s. It looks as though he’ll now have the chance to play in the fifth tier of English football with Wealdstone.
The club haven’t officially announced the signing, and Jeffcott isn’t yet listed in their squad on their website, so it’s difficult to say whether he’s signed a long-term contract or he’s simply playing for Wealdstone on a trial basis.
But Jeorge Bird reports that Jeffcott has signed for the club, so official confirmation shouldn’t be too far away.
Jeffcott wouldn’t be the first former Gunner to sign for Wealdstone, with Craig Eastmond joining the same team last summer.
Of the 22 players Arsenal released last June, only one remains out of contract. Let’s look at where they all ended up.
Goalkeepers
Senior goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo spent last season on loan with Wrexham, and he’s joined the club permanently in the summer.
Youth goalkeepers Noah Cooper, Ovie Ejeheri, Hubert Graczyk, and James Hillson also departed.
Cooper joined Stoke City, Ejeheri moved for Midtylland in Denmark, Graczyk stayed in the Premier League with Manchester United, and Hillson signed for Salisbury FC.
Defenders
Arsenal’s second senior player to leave the club was Cedric Soares, and he’s since joined Sao Paulo. Youth left-back Henry Jeffcott is playing for Wealdstone FC.
Luis Brown stayed in the Premier League with West Ham United, whilst Reuell Walters dropped down a division to sign for Luton Town.
Alex Kirk signed for Sutton United, and James Sweet penned a deal with St. Albans City. Taylor Foran joined Bromley FC in League Two.
Midfielders
The final senior player to leave Arsenal was Mohamed Elneny, and he joined Al Jazira in the UAE Pro League.
Catalin Cirjan moved back to Romania to sign for FC Dinamo, whilst Mauro Bandeira signed for Slovenian side NK Tabor Sezana.
Forwards
Both Omari Benjamin and Amario Cozier-Duberry got Premier League moves, joining Everton and Brighton respectively. Cozier-Duberry has since gone out on loan to Blackburn Rovers.
Tyreece John-Jules recently signed for Crawley Town, and Kamarni Ryan joined Burnley. With Kido Taylor-Hart joining PAS Giannina, Henry Timi Davies is the final free agent.