Teenage midfielder Bless Akolbire has confirmed his switch from Arsenal to Leicester City after signing a professional contract at the King Power Stadium.
Akolbire had been on trial at City and was included on their under-21 squad list after the end of the January transfer window.
Now he’s announced that he’s signed his first-ever professional contract with City with photos on social media.
He wrote: “New beginnings. Proud moment to sign my first professional contract. Thank you to my family and brothers to get me to this point. Praise God.”
The 18-year-old was a regular for Arsenal’s under-18s last season, playing 16 times, and made four appearances for them this term.
But he’s since moved to City, playing four games for Adam Barradell’s youngsters and now scored his first goal for the club, poking in the third of a 6-3 victory at West Ham earlier this month.
Initially in Colchester United’s academy, Akolbire had to leave the club because it was too far from his home in North London. A year later he had a successful trial at Arsenal and progressed through the ranks there, earning a scholarship but not professional terms.
Assessing his own style of play, Akolbire said 18 months ago: “I’d describe myself as a box-to-box type player. I have defensive attributes but can dribble past a few players and pick out a killer pass in the final third too.”
His family is Ghanaian and he says his first football memory is watching Ghana at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, with Asamoah Gyan his favourite player.
City’s under-18s are currently 11th of 13 clubs in the Premier League South division with 15 points from 15 games.
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