Linfield midfielder Ceadach O’Neill is “set to” seal a move to Arsenal, according to the Belfast Telegraph.
The newspaper claims that the Gunners have won the race for the “highly rated” 15-year-old and he will complete his switch to the Emirates “at the end of the season.”
O’Neill has already made his senior debut, having made his first appearance as a substitute against Queen’s University Belfast in the first round of the JBE League Cup back in October.
The teenager subsequently played his second game against Ballymena United in the league a month later, before coming on as a late sub versus Warrenpoint in the Irish Cup at the start of January.
O’Neill has played for Arsenal before
Despite having not completed his transfer to the London club, the midfielder has actually spent some time on trial with the Gunners.
O’Neill played for the Under 17s at the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Brazil last year, and his performances clearly convinced the club to secure his services on a permanent basis.
The Belfast Telegraph report that “several” other Premier League teams had taken an interest in the player but Mikel Arteta’s side have seen off their rivals to snap up the youngster.
The academy has also signed another gem recently
Last week, the Gunners confirmed that they had recruited Brayden Clarke from Wolves as a first-year scholar. The Wales youth international was another highly sought-after player, having helped his country reach the finals of the European Under 17 Championships last year.
Clarke subsequently made his debut for Arsenal’s Under 18 side in an 8-3 victory over Crystal Palace last Saturday. O’Neill is expected to join up with Jack Wilshere’s team in the summer ahead of next campaign.
