Arsenal Football Club is delighted to announce that promising defender Carl Jenkinson, 19, has arrived from League One side Charlton Athletic. His signing was confirmed as young Gunners Benik Afobe, Chuks Aneke and Oguzhan Ozyakup also pledged their futures to the Club.
Jenkinson joins Arsenal having featured nine times for Charlton Athletic’s first team. Predominantly a right-back, the 6’1” youngster can also play in the centre of defence. Although born in England, Jenkinson qualifies to represent both England and Finland through his mother. The defender has already represented both countries at youth level, and last season captained Finland Under-19s.
Afobe, a forward and England Youth International, joined the Club aged just eight and has risen through the ranks to play Under-18 and Reserve team football, signing professional terms in February 2010. The Leyton-born youngster returned from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town a firm favourite with the Terriers’ faithful, having scored eight times in 36 appearances. This helped Lee Clark’s team to a 25 game unbeaten run, culminating in reaching the League One play-off final.
Newham-born midfielder Aneke is another player to have come through the Club’s Hale End Academy, which he joined aged seven, to cement a place in Neil Banfield’s Reserves setup. Last term the England Under-18 International scored six goals in 17 games to help the second string to the runners-up spot in the FA Premier Reserve League South. Chuks signed professional terms in July 2010.
Midfielder Ozyakup has enjoyed a promising start to his fledgling Arsenal career, since arriving from Dutch side AZ Alkmaar two seasons ago. The Netherlands Youth International joined forces with Aneke and Afobe to help Steve Bould’s Under-18s to a Premier Academy League title in 2010 and has proven himself to be a key player in the Reserves, with 22 appearances to his name so far.
Everyone at Arsenal would like to welcome Carl to the Club and look forward to the continued progression of all four players in the years to come.
