sport news Arsenal announce the signing of 16-year-old star Wales youth defender from ... trends now Arsenal have signed a promising central defender from Premier League side The 16-year-old joins a young side that reached last year's FA Youth Cup final ‘He’s the one Premier League player I'd PAY to watch’ Which star has IAN LADYMAN entranced? - It's All Kicking off podcast By Samuel Draper Published: 12:57 GMT, 16 March 2024 | Updated: 12:57 GMT, 16 March 2024 Viewcomments Arsenal have signed a promising 16-year-old central defender from the youth team of one of their Premier League rivals. The senior side currently lead the race for the English top-flight title, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference, and a point clear of third-placed Manchester City. The young Gunners reached the final of the FA Youth Cup last year, which they lost to West Ham, and they have bolstered their up-and-coming squad by swooping for a new addition from another Premier League's academy. Brayden Clarke, 16, joins Arsenal as a first year scholar, having spent his early years with the Wolves academy, according to the Gunners website. Clarke, who turns 17 in July, has played 10 games for the Wolves under-18s before his move south. Brayden Clarke, 16, has signed for Arsenal's academy, having spent his early years at Wolves Clarke immediately went into the starting line-up for the Arsenal under-18s on Saturday Clarke was a member of the Wales Under-17s squad which reached the European Championship Finals last year, the first to reach a major finals since 1981. He was announced on Saturday morning, and immediately went into the starting line-up for the Arsenal under-18s as they hosted Crystal Palace in a league fixture later that day. The Gunners led that game 4-1 at half-time. Jack Wilshere's under-18s were eliminated from this year's FA Youth Cup following a heavy 7-1 defeat to Liverpool in January. Mikel Arteta's senior side have no game this weekend owing to a rescheduled league fixture due to Chelsea's FA Cup commitments. Arsenal's senior side overcame Porto on penalties to reach the Champions League quarters On Tuesday night, they overcame Porto in a penalty shootout to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, where they have been paired with Harry Kane's Bayern Munich. Their next outing is a trip to Manchester City on March 31, which could prove to be critical in the direction of the title race. Premier LeagueWales Read more: Share or comment on this article: Arsenal announce the signing of 16-year-old star Wales youth defender from Premier League rival, who will join the academy as a first-year scholar All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility