Arsenal Football Club can confirm that the following
five young players have all signed professional terms with the
Club.
Nacer Barazite
A 17-year-old striker who joined the club last summer. Last season,
the former Dutch youth international scored twice in Arsenals run
to the FA Youth Cup Semi-Finals. He also played seven times for the
Reserve side and 20 times for the Under-18s.
Rui Fonte
A tall, powerful Portuguese centre forward who amassed an excellent
record of eight goals in 19 Under-18s games. The 17-year-old also
broke through into the Reserve side and played four times in the FA
Youth Cup. He was signed from Sporting Lisbon in August 2006.
Paul Rodgers
The 17-year-old made more appearances than any other Reserve/Youth
player last season. Thirteen second-string games, five in the FA
Youth Cup and 24 for the Under-18s made it a busy campaign for the
right back/centre back. The former England youth international was
excellent in the two-legged FA Youth Cup Semi-Final against
Manchester United.
Jay Simpson
Jay Simpson
The 18-year-old striker was top scorer in the FA Youth Cup with
five goals. That included three against Cardiff in the
Quarter-Final against Cardiff - the first treble at Emirates
Stadium. In total he hit 18 in 36 starts and was rewarded with a
substitutes spot in the Carling Cup.
Wojciech Szczesny
The former Polish youth international goalkeeper arrived in the
summer of 2006 after a successful trial. The 17-year-old made 11
appearances for the Under-18s and one in the FA Youth Cup.
*We wish Nacer, Rui, Paul, Jay and Wojciech continued success with
the Club.*
