Ife Ibrahim described his first professional contract as a blessing and believes our academy is the best place for him to be.
The versatile midfielder joined us at just seven years old and now, 11 years on, he put pen to paper on a first senior contract.
Surrounded by a host of family and friends, Ife was over the moon to continue his journey in N5.
He said: “I think it’s a blessing, you know, a great opportunity. Not many people get to sign a professional contract, so I’m very grateful and blessed to be here.
“I came here when I was at the age of seven. I went through the pre-academy stage and then got signed at the age of nine. I’ve been here ever since.
“I always say it’s a privilege. Arsenal’s a very big club, so I’m very blessed to be here and continue my journey and make it.
“I think the environment is very good here. The people around me are very nice, very caring. The coaches want to work with you and are willing to improve you, so I thought this was the right decision.”
There have been plenty of incredible moments in Ife’s time at our academy, one of which was playing at Emirates Stadium in the FA Youth Cup against Manchester United last season.
“Yes, it was surreal,” he said. “I remember we got there very early, so we went to just look at the pitch and were just wondering, like, wow. I didn’t even know it was that big, but it was kind of crazy.”
As a midfielder, Ife is not short on quality players in the first team to lean on. That includes Declan Rice, who has been helping the talented teenager navigate his journey.
He said: “I play, at the moment, centre defensive mid. I like to start the attack, break lines, intercept and drive with the ball.
He [Declan Rice] gives me tips and always tells me great stuff, so I think I look up to him most in the first team. He’s just great, he’s a great guy and has helped me integrate into the squad.”
The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
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Young Gun: Ife Ibrahim
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