According to the Daily Star, New Arsenal signing and Nigeria wonder kid Kelechi Nwakali has been handed the iconic No.25 jersey number after joining the club on a five-year contract.
Nwakali finally completed his move to Arsenal last week after months of speculation, and while the Gunners are yet to make any official announcement, the wonder kid confirmed the news on his Facebook page.
The 18-year-old has signed a five-year contract with Arsenal after Arsenal had reportedly agreed a £3m deal with the players Academy back in Nigeria, Diamond Football Academy claimed The Daily Star.
According to the wonderkids post on Facebook, is seems the highly-rated midfielder has now been handed the No.25 shirt, which use to be worn by Nigerian legend KanuNwankwo during his spell at Arsenal that saw him win two English Premier League’s and two FA Cup’s.
‘Arsenal has informed us that Kelechi has been handed the No.25 jersey. He was trying to get that number because of Kanu, so he’s happy they gave it to him,’
The head of Diamond Football Academy, EmekaAmajiriaku, told allnigeriasoccer.com.
Nwakali caught the attention of Arsenal scouts and other top European clubs after his impressive performance at the under-17 World Cup last year where he helped the Golden Eaglet lift the youth championship trophy in Chile and was voted as the Player of the Tournament.
The No.25 was recently worn by Carl Jenkinson so it looks certain the defender will either change number or possibly even leave the club following his loan spell at London rivals West Ham last season. A mass exodus of players might be experienced if this trophy drought contimues.
