Forgotten Arsenal wonderkid returns with point to prove five years after exit
Arsenal academy graduate Stephy Mavididi has sealed a permanent move to Leicester City.
Five years after quitting North London to join Italian giants Juventus, the now 25-year-old, has become the Championship club's latest signing under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The Foxes have paid Montpellier £7m for his signature and Mavididi - who spent eight years in Arsenal's youth system - has put pen to paper on a five-year deal at the King Power Stadium.
Speaking after the move was confirmed, Mavididi said: “I’m honestly happy and delighted to be here. Speaking to the Manager and some of the staff here, it was a no brainer for me. It was one that was in the pipeline for a while and myself and my family are just happy that it is over the line now.
“Obviously the size and history of the club speaks for itself. The training ground, the stadium. Personally, I wanted to come back to England, I felt like it was time to come home and continue my football here.”
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At Leicester, Mavididi will certainly be out to prove himself. He was never afforded a first-team appearance for Arsenal and was also sent out on a series of loans into the Football League with Charlton and Preston.
Mavididi elected to leave the club in the summer of 2018 as he penned a deal with Juventus. Initially a signing for the club’s B team, he quickly earned a chance to train with the first team alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and became the first English player since David Platt in 1992 to make his debut for the Turin giants.
Speaking to The Guardian about his experience training alongside Ronaldo, Mavididi said: “It was a privilege to even train with him. It’s helped me so much. It’s not even about going up to him and asking him questions. You just watch him and you learn.”
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Following a loan spell with Dijon, Montpellier became Mavididi’s next port of call. He proves a success in Ligue 1, scoring 21 goals in 98 appearances for the club. Speaking about his decision to initially bid farewell to Arsenal, he claimed that it was the best call for his career.
“I tend not to look at the regrets because if I had stayed at Arsenal then I probably wouldn’t be where I am now," Mavididi said. "When you’re at these big clubs, you’ve got to have everything going in your favour – you need a manager who is willing to play you, some luck and maybe if there’s some injuries or suspensions – and that’s not always the case in football.
"Moving abroad gave me a fresh start. It helped me to discover a different way of living and playing football at a very good level instead of dropping down the leagues.”
Mavididi will hope to get his first outing for his new club this weekend as Leicester start their Championship season against local rivals Coventry.
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