Spurs youngster signs Arsenal contract

Former Tottenham Hotspur youth defender Elijah Upson has signed a contract to join Arsenal, with an official announcement to follow, according to a report.

Elijah Upson with Spurs (Photo via SpursAcademy on Instagram) — Photo via SpursAcademy on Instagram

Luca Bendoni reports that Elijah Upson has signed his Arsenal contract, joining the Gunners from Tottenham Hotspur for no more than a training compensation fee after reaching the end of his Spurs contract.

Bendoni adds that an official announcement on Upson’s transfer is set to follow in the coming days.

16 Oct 2001: Matthew Upson of Arsenal wins the ball as Michalis Konstantinou of Panathinaikos dives out of his way during the UEFA Champions League Group C Stage One match between Arsenal and Panathinaikos at Highbury, London. Credit: Shaun Botterill/ALLSPORT — 16 Oct 2001: Matthew Upson of Arsenal wins the ball as Michalis Konstantinou of Panathinaikos dives out of his way during the UEFA Champions Leagu…

Simon Jones had reported for the Daily Mail last week that former Gunner Matthew Upson’s son Elijah had decided to join Arsenal.

Elijah rejected a contract extension with Spurs and fielded offers from Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and AS Monaco.

Jones confirmed that Upson Jr. visited Arsenal’s training ground last week on Wednesday and held talks with his family, ultimately deciding to join the Gunners this summer.

London Colney now the Sobha Realty Training Centre (image via Arsenal) — image via Arsenal

Upson had been a regular starter for the Spurs academy for much of the 2025/26 campaign. The centre-back appeared in six of Spurs’ seven UEFA Youth League games, and he started 13 of their first 16 u18 Premier League fixtures of the season.

Of the three games he didn’t start, one was due to injury, one was because he was starting for the u21s, and he came off the bench as a substitute in the third (against Arsenal).

But speculation around Upson’s future seemingly hurt his gametime, as he suddenly dropped out of the squad in mid-February and didn’t return to it.

As well as playing for Spurs, Upson is an England youth international, making a couple of appearances for the England u18s in October, and receiving a call-up for the u17 World Cup in November. Unfortunately, he had to pull out of the tournament with the same injury mentioned above.

Arsenal v Preston North End — 12 Oct 1999: Alex Mathie of Preston North End tries to hold off Matthew Upson and Stefan Malz of Arsenal during the Worthington Cup Third Round ma…

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