English premiership side, Arsenal has secured the services of of Nigeria international Alex Iwobi for the next four years.
The 22 year-old has sufficiently impressed new Gunners Manager Unai Emery to be handed a new deal that will see his stay at the north London club extended to year 2022.
The Gunners announced the Super Eagles mid-fielder’s extended contract on Friday, along with a video of the elated youngster expressing his love for Arsenal.
Iwobi has been with the Gunners since age nine years, coming through the club’s Hale End Academy, before breaking into the first team in 2015.
The 22-year-old Nigerian international, who is a lifelong Arsenal fan, was excited penning his signature on the new deal, saying; “It’s always been my childhood dream to represent Arsenal, from young.”
He told Arsenal media during his signing presentation that; “To get an extended contract is an amazing feeling and I hope I’m doing the Arsenal family proud as well as my family.”
Iwobi, who is the nephew of Nigeria’s great, Jay-Jay Okocha, said; “It feels so special. The first kit I had was Arsenal and long may I continue to represent them.”
Also delighted with the news, manager Emery described Iwobi as a great example for other youth players to follow.
According to him, “I’m very pleased Alex has signed a new contract with us”, adding that; “He is a great example of a player who can succeed from the Academy through hard work and I look forward to working with him and our other talented young players in the squad.”
Since making his first-team debut, Iwobi has racked up nine goals in 98 appearances for the senior side. In the national team colours, he has scored five goals in 21 appearances for the Super Eagles
He featured in all three of Nigeria’s matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
