England U19 striker Chuba Akpom will be looking to take the next big step of his career this month after signing on loan with Brentford.
The Arsenal youngster has agreed an initial one month deal to join the League One club and will go straight into their squad for Saturday’s game with Port Vale at Griffin Park.
Akpom, 18, made his Premier League debut for the Gunners earlier this season and certainly heads to west London in good form, having scored a hat-trick in Arsenal’s FA Youth Cup win at Peterborough United earlier this week.
Akpom has played for England U19s this season.
The north Londoner has been an impressive performer for all of Arsenal’s junior teams, scoring three goals in four games during their UEFA Youth League matches this season.
And he’s been a regular for England over the years too, after making his debut for the U16s in 2011 and going on to score goals for the U17s and U19s in recent seasons.
Speaking about the addition of Akpom to his squad, Bees boss Mark Warburton said: “I am delighted to welcome Chuba to the club for what will be his first loan spell away from his home club.
“I have enjoyed watching Chuba's development over the last two seasons and particularly noticed his contribution for Arsenal in the NextGen Series tournament.
“He is a strong, quick player with an excellent touch and good vision and I am sure he will make a valuable contribution to the squad in the weeks ahead.
“I would very much like to thank Arsenal for their most professional and prompt response to our request to take Chuba.”
England U19s are next in action on 5 March when they take on Turkey at Chester FC’s Swansway Chester Stadium.
