Arsenal youth winger Brando Bailey-Joseph has signed a professional contract, putting pen to paper at the first possible opportunity.
Arsenal announced on Thursday morning that Brando Bailey-Joseph has signed a professional contract with the club, just months after signing his scholarship deal this summer.
Bailey-Joseph only became eligible for a professional contract on October 2nd, the day he turned 17. Arsenal have confirmed that the player put pen to paper that very same day, with only the official announcement delayed until now.
“I’m very proud of myself,” Brando said. “I’m also very proud of everyone who helped support me, but I also feel like it’s not done yet. It’s still a lot of hard work to do, but at the same time, I’m very grateful to the club for providing me with this opportunity.
“It kind of feels like I’ve been here my whole life. It’s almost like a family away from home, but at the same time, I realised that it’s starting to get serious now, so I started working harder, and I’m very grateful to the club as well.
“The academy has shown time and time again that it provides all the players with fair opportunities, and there are lots of ex-pros who will always help guide you in the right direction in order to maximise your career.”
Bailey-Joseph has made a strong start to the season, and he only seems to be getting better as each game goes by. After a few positive early performances without a goal or assist, the winger has provided three goals and two assists in his last four games in all competitions.
That includes a goal and an assist against Athletic Club and Olympiacos in the UEFA Youth League, meaning he’s contributed to 100% of Arsenal’s two goals in the competition so far.
With Arsenal making such an early offer of a professional contract, there can be few doubts about the high regard in which the 17-year-old is held internally.