Max Dowman has signed a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal, committing him to a first professional deal when he turns 17 in December.
The 16-year-old, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, made his senior professional debut during Arsenal’s 5-0 win over Leeds United in August 25.
The Athletic reported in October that Arsenal had reached an agreement with Dowman, then 15, to sign scholarship terms. Once Dowman turned 16 on December 31, a professional deal could then be offered, and a pre-contract has now been signed. The professional contract will come into effect on Dowman’s 17th birthday.
More lucrative deals might have been available elsewhere but Dowman — who comes from a family of lifelong Arsenal supporters and whose father handled negotiations — was determined to continue his career at the Emirates Stadium.
“I’ve been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot,” Dowman told Arsenal’s official website. “There’s such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo (Saka), Myles (Lewis-Skelly) and Ethan (Nwaneri), 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.”
Dowman’s appearance against Leeds in August made him the second youngest player in Premier League history — behind another Arsenal academy graduate in Ethan Nwaneri.
“It’s a proud moment to see him yesterday signing that deal in front of his family and his loved ones,” head coach Mikel Arteta said on Friday, in his pre-match news conference.
“Now we have an amazing talent that day by day we need to shape because there’s so much there.”
In October, Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest starter, aged 15 years and 302 days, when he was named in the XI for the Carabao Cup tie against Brighton. Dowman also became the youngest player to feature in the Champions League when he was introduced as a substitute in the 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague in November.
A significant moment for Arsenal
This is significant for Arsenal, as it ensures that one of the outstanding prospects in European football will continue his development at Arsenal.
Prior to his ankle injury, which was sustained in a behind-closed-doors friendly, Mikel Arteta had made a concerted effort to include Dowman as part of the first-team squad. It was merited, too: the teenager was one of the club’s most impressive performers during the pre-season tour of Singapore and Hong Kong.
Other clubs have hovered around Dowman, hoping to prise him away from north London, but Arsenal have secured his signature.
Arsenal supporters will be excited to see what more there is to come from this special talent.