Arsenal complete deadline day transfer to cement Arteta U-turn on midfielder

01 February 2024 , 10:51

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Arsenal youngster Bradley Ibrahim has completed a permanent exit (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal have allowed youngster Bradley Ibrahim to leave for Hertha Berlin on a permanent deal, just a few months after manager Mikel Arteta brought him in to train with the first team.

Ibrahim, a 19-year-old defensive midfielder, made two matchday squads during last season's Europa League run and was named on the bench for the Premier League victory over Burnley in November. He also captained Jack Wilshere's under-18 side during their run to last season's FA Youth Cup final, where they were beaten by West Ham United.

A senior bow would not arrive, though, and Arsenal have agreed a permanent deal with Hertha in a move which suggests he didn't quite do enough to convince Arteta. He isn't the first Arsenal player to join the Bundesliga side during Mikel Arteta's reign, with Matteo Guendouzi spending a season on loan in the German capital before eventually making a permanent switch to Marseille.

Hertha were relegated from the Bundesliga last season after losing a play-off against Eintracht Braunschweig. They currently sit in mid-table in 2. Bundesliga, and Ibrahim becomes the second Englishman to join their squad after ex-Everton defender Jonjoe Kenny.

"We thank Bradley for his contribution to the club and wish him all the best with Hertha BSC," Arsenal said in a statement confirming the move. The exit marks a stark change in fortunes for Ibrahim, after playing a behind-closed-doors friendly in November with football.london reporting that he had impressed the first-team staff.

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"Great to start 2024 with a win and an assist, Big year ahead," Ibrahim had written on Instagram after helping Arsenal's under-21 side beat Middlesbrough in mid-January.

He made eight appearances for the under-21s this term, with the highlight coming against Brighton in October. He scored Arsenal's opener and set up three further goals in an all-action first half as the young Gunners claimed a 6-3 victory.

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Bradley Ibrahim trained with Arsenal's first team and made the bench on several occasions (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

“I was very pleased about Hertha BSC’s interest," Ibrahim said after being unveiled by his new club. "The club has a great history and offers young players the chance to establish themselves in professional football."

Ibrahim might not be the only Arsenal youngster to secure a late move away from North London. Left-back Lino Sousa, another member of last season's FA Youth Cup final side, is close to an Aston Villa switch.

Earlier in the window, young striker Mika Biereth joined Sturm Graz on loan for the remainder of the campaign. The Danish frontman spent the first half of the season with Motherwell, scoring six times in 14 Scottish Premiership outings.

Tom Victor