Arsenal have agreed a future contract with Max Dowman, with the teenager signing a pre-contract agreement that will see him commit to professional terms when he turns 17 in December.
Dowman joined the club’s academy at the age of eight and has progressed rapidly through Hale End, breaking records along the way.
The midfielder, who will become a scholar in the summer, has scored 27 goals and provided 10 assists in 34 appearances across under-18 and under-21 level.
Dowman made his under-18 debut aged just 13 and became the UEFA Youth League’s youngest scorer at 14, before a breakthrough last season that saw him reach the first team as a 15-year-old.
He is currently sidelined with an ankle ligament injury suffered in a behind-closed-doors under-21 friendly in early December, an issue that forced Arsenal to withdraw him from their Champions League squad and is expected to keep him out until mid-February, with a provisional return around the Wigan game.
Following the signing of the pre-agreement, Dowman said: “This means everything to me and my family. We all support Arsenal and I really feel like I belong here. I’d like to thank all my coaches, teammates and, most importantly, my family and friends, who have got me to where I am today.
“I’ve been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot. There’s such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo, Myles and Ethan, who all really inspire me. It’s amazing to have role models so close that have experienced the same thing that I have. I’m now so excited to continue to work hard with my development.”
The agreement underlines Arsenal’s long-term commitment to Dowman, who has already emerged as the latest Hale End product to make the step into the senior environment despite his young age.
Against Kairat on Wednesday night, Arsenal also gave first-team debuts to another two teenagers – Brando Baily-Joseph and Ife Ibrahim.