Arsenal Welcomes Ceadach O'Neill as He Signs First Pro Deal
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Synopsis
Ceadach O'Neill, a 17-year-old academy forward, has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal at the Sobha Realty Training Centre. He shares his excitement and aspirations, reflecting on his journey from Linfield and his experiences with Northern Ireland's youth teams.
Key Takeaways
- Ceadach O'Neill signs first pro contract at Arsenal.
- Excited about adapting to a new environment.
- Scored twice in his debut match against West Ham.
- Represents Northern Ireland at youth level.
- Inspired by Arsenal legends Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.
London, April 14 (NationPress) Academy forward Ceadach O'Neill has officially signed his inaugural professional contract with Arsenal. The 17-year-old finalized the agreement at the Sobha Realty Training Centre last week, with the announcement made on Monday.
“I’m thrilled to be signing my first professional contract,” he expressed, reflecting on his transition from Linfield to Arsenal in 2024. “I anticipated some challenges with the move, but I believe I’ve adapted well.”
“My debut match was against West Ham away, where I netted two goals, marking a fantastic start to the season. As a winger, scoring is crucial, so I’m focusing on improving that aspect of my game.”
Having represented Northern Ireland at the youth level, Ceadach discussed the significance of wearing his country’s colors.
“I’ve been playing for Northern Ireland for around four to five years, forming great friendships and truly enjoying my time on the pitch with them.”
In a previous chat with Arsenal’s ‘Young Gun’ series, Ceadach shared his admiration for Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil during his childhood, attributing his support for Arsenal to his father.
“My dad was an Arsenal fan, so I grew up supporting them. Watching Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil was incredible; they were phenomenal players that I loved to watch.”
Ceadach has had the opportunity to practice with Mikel Arteta’s first-team squad, playing alongside athletes he once admired on television.
“It’s always surreal to share the pitch with first-team players. I truly enjoy growing alongside them and learning from their experience. For the remainder of this season, I aim to finish strong, keep scoring goals, and provide assists as I look ahead to next season,” he added.
