Arsenal set to complete RECORD-BREAKING signing

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 20 Jul 2025 09:45 BST
• 3 min read

News

Arsenal are set to complete the record-breaking signing of Irish wonderkid Victor Ozhianvuna.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley confirmed that his club are "down the line" in terms of a deal with a foreign club to sell 16-year-old starlet Ozhianvuna.

The Independent in Ireland reports that the club in question is believed to be Arsenal and that the transfer is close to being agreed.

The report adds that the transfer to Arsenal will shatter the League of Ireland record fee of €1.9 million - rising to €4m - which was set when Tottenham signed Mason Melia from St Patrick's Athletic earlier this year.

As Ozhianvuna only turned 16 in January, under Brexit-related regulations, he cannot join a club in the UK until he’s 18 but Arsenal will wrap a deal for him now.

“I know Stephen McPhail [Sporting Director] is right down the line with a club. I know he’s right there, he has been in real negotiations with a team and he is right down the line," Bradley confirmed.

How good is Ozhianvuna

Born to Russian and Nigerian parents in Tallaght , Ozhianvuna made his debut in January and scored his first goal during the FAI Cup second round match on Friday against Wexford.

Ozhianvuna is a midfielder who is regarded as one of the brightest young talents to come out of Ireland for years.

He is a midfielder who is capable of playing in many different roles.

"It's about finding the right moments to play him but ability? You'll see in the next years what he's about," Bradley said of his player.

"He can play anywhere. I've seen him play as a six, ten and even up front. He's a bit of throwback in how he plays fearlessly. You can see that versatility will help him going forward.

"Teams have watched Victor since he was 12 years of age. That [Rovers academy] team has travelled across Europe, played top teams, so everyone knows him, all the clubs.

"Even though he hasn’t been overly exposed over here in the first-team, everyone knows him. You are just going to see the kid get better and better. I love his attitude. Put him in the carpark or on the pitch, he just wants to play. It’s his ball, he wants it back. That’s how he plays the game.”

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