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Confirmed: Arsenal star signs new long-term contract

By mac14 on August 31, 2018

Arsenal have confirmed that Reiss Nelson has signed a new long-term contract before heading out on loan to Hoffenheim for the rest of the season.

Nelson has been with the club since joining the youth academy when he was 8-years-old and he’s progressed through the ranks to develop in to one of the most exciting youngsters in British football.

The 18-year-old made his senior debut last season and went on to make 16 first team appearances in all competitions while he was also named as the Premier League 2 Player of the Year last season after helping the U23’s to the title.

Nelson’s future at the club has been in doubt in recent months as he was in the final year of his contract and he’d attracted plenty of interest from throughout Europe.

However, the teenager has ended the speculation after signing a long-term contract – reportedly an initial three year deal with an option to extend by another year.

After penning his deal, Nelson told Arsenal.com:

“I’m delighted. It’s been a long time coming now, so I’m just happy everything’s sorted out and I can sign a contract for a great club.

“It’s my boyhood club. From a young age, from about eight years old, I’ve been supporting the club. The likes of Thierry Henry have encouraged me as well, so ever since then I’ve just loved the club and really fallen in love with it.”

It’s great news to have secured the future of such a promising attacker, however, Nelson won’t be at Arsenal this season as the teenager has now joined Hoffenheim on a season long loan deal.

Nelson’s close friend Jadon Sancho plays for Borussia Dortmund and it seems he’s persuaded him to join him in Germany to further develop his potential under the tutelage of highly-rated manager Julian Nagelsmann.

I’d have liked Nelson to have stayed at Arsenal as we have a real lack of pacey wingers in the squad, but let’s hope he can learn a lot during his time in Germany and come back to challenge for a first team place next season.