Striker Jay Simpson has today signed for Championship side Hull City, ending his long relationship with the Gunners having joined its Academy aged nine.
Jay (21), made three first-team appearances for Arsenal scoring two goals, both in the 2008/09 Carling Cup competition. He also has the honour of being the first player to score a hat-trick at Emirates Stadium in the 2007 FA Youth Cup against Cardiff City.
A popular face around Arsenal, Jay gained invaluable experience out on loan over the past three seasons. Last term he impressed at QPR with eight goals in his first 15 games. In 2007/08, Jay spent the campaign with Millwall and performed superbly to be awarded the League One 'Player of the Year' accolade. The striker also had a spell at West Bromwich Albion during the 2008/09 season.
Everyone at Arsenal wishes Jay the very best in his future career.
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Pity that he never lived up to his potential.. was the first player to score a hat trick at the Emirates, in the Youth Cup final against Man Utd. It's been very tough for Jay, having to compete for a place alongside Walcott, Eduardo, RVP, Adebayor, Bendtner, and this year Chamakh, as well as some of the most exciting academy players such as Wilshere, Watt, and Giles Sunu. He's a sort of worse Theo Walcott from what i've seen. Naturally, i wish him all the best for the future at Hull, where he will hopefully have a much less stressful, and more successful time.
