Romano announces new Arsenal signing – but FIFA rules delay his arrival

4 Sept 2026 08:03 BST | 4 min read

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Make us your Google favourite

Fabrizio Romano has announced that Arsenal have completed their first signing of 2027, just a matter of days following the closure of the summer transfer window.

Article continues under the video

Attacking midfielder Andria Bartishvili has agreed to join the Premier League champions in a move that will be made official in a year’s time.

The Georgian prospect will remain with FC Kolkheti in the meantime, with FIFA regulations preventing the 17-year-old from hooking up with Mikel Arteta’s side any sooner.

Romano took to X to announce: “Georgian talent Andria Bartishvili can be considered a new Arsenal player.

“Medical completed, contract set to be signed and deal formally sealed.

“Bartishvili will join the Arsenal first team in the summer of 2027 when he turns 18.”

The youngster can play across the attacking midfield area and is the latest in a series of prospects to emerge from his homeland, led by PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and also including Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

© IMAGO - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: PSG winger is Georgia's top star

Why can’t Arsenal sign Bartishvili immediately?

FIFA regulations have put the brakes on Arsenal adding Bartishvili to Arteta’s ranks immediately, but this is not something that will have come as a surprise to the Gunners.

World football’s governing body has strict rules in place when it comes to transfers of players under the age of 18. International transfers of minors are strictly prohibited unless they fall into a handful of exceptional circumstances, including:

Parental relocation – for a job change, for example.

European transfers – players aged between 16 and 18 can move within the EU and European Economic Area providing the club provides schooling, housing and training.

Border rule – the player lives within 50km of a national border and the signing club is also within 50km of the border.

Humanitarian reasons – there are rare examples of refugee circumstances allowing a transfer, though these are not driven by footballing reasons.

Bartishvili does not fall into any of these categories, so he will continue to play in his homeland until his 18th birthday, which falls on 30 March, 2027.

The deal has to then be delayed until the summer, as the Premier League’s registration window will not open again until the conclusion of the 2026/27 season.

Arsenal expect that the young Georgian will be worth the wait. He has already been compared favourably to Kvaratskhelia, and if they can land a player of that talent, he will prove to be a very precious signing indeed.