CONFIRMED: Arsenal Signs 19-Year-Old Nigerian Defender

English Premier League football club Arsenal have confirmed the news of signing young Nigerian defender, Semi Ajayi. The 19-year-old centre-back has joined the club on a permanent basis after impressing on a trial.

Ajayi came through the youth ranks at Charlton Atheltic before being released at the end of last season.

After a brief spell with Norwich in pre-season, he was handed a trial by Arsenal in the summer and following two excellent displays for the Under-21, the player confirmed on Twitter last week that he had signed a two-year deal at the Emirates.

Arsenal finally officially announced the deal yesterday on the club's website: "Semi Ajayi has joined the Arsenal Academy after impressing as a trialist with the Club."

Ajayi had already represented Nigeria at youth level, but is still eligible to play for England as he was born in Crayford.