Arsenal sign 40-goal wonderkid, 16, from Premier League rival a week after deadline day
Arsenal have completed the signing of another young prodigy from a Premier League rival.
The Gunners have acquired 16-year-old Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace, reaffirming their strategy to bolster their pool of academy talent.
Bernard has signed a pre-contract deal with the north London club and joins as a first-year scholar.
He will then go on to sign professional terms when he turns 17 next year.
The striker caught the eye of multiple clubs having netted over 40 goals for Crystal Palace’s academy teams last season.
His goalscoring heroics earned him a call-up to the Eagles’ Under-18s side where he went on to score six times in the U18 Premier League.
Bernard has also featured for England U16s, registering four goals in eight appearances.
The starlet took to Instagram after completing his move and paid a classy tribute to his formative club.
Bernard says goodbye to Palace
He wrote: “After eight unforgettable years at Crystal Palace, I have decided to say goodbye.
“I have grown up playing for Crystal Palace and it has provided so many wonderful moments in blue and red.
“Crystal Palace has shaped me as a person and a player becoming a crucial part of my life.
“It has always been a pleasure playing at the club over the last few years and this part of my journey will always have a place with me.
“Thank you to all my coaches and teammates that have pushed me to become a better player and have helped me in my journey at the club.
“I will forever be grateful for the past eight years I’ve had with this club.”
His signing signals Arsenal’s growing ambition to bolster their options at youth level.
The Gunners have already raided Manchester United this summer for top talents James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye.
And Elijah Upson – son of ex-Arsenal defender Matt Upson – left north London rivals Tottenham to sign for the Gunners
There have been further raids in recent months.
Igor Tyjon swapped Blackburn Rovers for the Hale End academy , Axel Donczew arrived at the club from Cardiff City and Phoenix Blayney signed from Northern Irish club Larne.
Georgian hotshot Andria Bartishvili is also closing in on a move to the club but is unable to make the deal permanent until he turns 18 next year.
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