Arsenal announces first professional deals for two academy graduates

Arsenal have announced that two academy players have signed their first professional deals with the club.

Jimi Gower and Ismail Oulad M’Hand have both earned professional deals with the Premier League club.

“It's a really proud moment for me, something I've been working towards for a long time. I'm happy and also excited for the future,” Gower said, speaking to the club’s website.

“I just think it’s going in the right place, bringing young players through, so I think it's the right place for me to continue my career.”

The midfielder has been at Arsenal since 2017 and made 21 appearances for the club’s under-18 side last season.

Oulad M’Hand joined the Gunners in 2021 from Feyenoord and made 20 appearances for the club’s under 18 side last term and earned a call up to the Morocco under 21 side earlier this year.

“I'm very happy and excited, just proud to sign my first pro contract,” he told Arsenal’s media team.

“I like our playing style, it's good and it suits me. Hopefully, I can show more of myself.”