Incoming Arsenal signing Callan Hamill made his senior debut for St. Johnstone on Sunday, before seemingly saying farewell to the club.
Reports from Scotland in February revealed that Arsenal and St. Johnstone had agreed an initial six-figure fee for the transfer of Callan Hamill, with realistic add-ons and sell-ons likely to increase the total over time.
Since then, Hamill has continued to make regular trips down to London to play for the Gunners’ academy, most recently featuring in the Liam Brady Cup just last week.
Yet Hamill is still technically a St. Johnstone player for now, and he made his senior debut for the team over the weekend.
The 16-year-old came on in St. Johnstone’s Scottish Premiership match against Dundee FC, their final game of the season. Afterwards, he appeared to say goodbye to the club on social media.
“A very proud moment for me and my family to make my professional debut, I can’t thank the club enough for everything they’ve done for me in the last 6 years,” Hamill wrote on Instagram.
“I wish [everyone] at the club the very best for the future.”
Rangers, Celtic, and a number of Premier League clubs fought to sign Hamill last summer, but St. Johnstone managed to hold onto him at the time.
Arsenal then went on a charm offensive, and Hamill is reportedly set to sign a four-year deal with them. Despite losing one of their talented youngsters, St. Johnstone are reportedly impressed by the way Arsenal operated throughout the process.
The 16-year-old is capable of playing multiple positions, including centre-back, full-back, and midfield. As well as St. Johnstone and the Arsenal academy, he’s spent time representing the Scotland u17s this season.
It’s now just a matter of time until Hamill’s move down south is made official.