We are pleased to announce that Max Dowman has signed a pre-contract agreement with the club that will lead to him signing professional terms when he turns 17 in December.
Max joined our academy at the age of eight and quickly broke records at youth level as he progressed through Hale End, making his under-18 debut aged just 13 and becoming the UEFA Youth League’s youngest scorer at the age of 14.
Max is equally adept as an attacking midfielder or winger, with his technical ability, vision and versatility making him one of England’s most exciting young prospects.
Max, who will become a scholar in the summer, has scored 27 goals and assisted 10 times in his 34 games for our academy between under-18 and under-21 level.
The England youth international has already excelled at senior level, breaking through this season. He was part of our pre-season tour of Asia in July 2025 and then made his senior professional debut in our 5-0 win at home against Leeds United in August 2025, becoming the second-youngest player in Premier League history, as well as in our club’s history.
Just two months later, in October, aged 15 years and 302 days old, Max was named in the starting line-up for our Carabao Cup fourth-round win against Brighton, becoming our youngest starter.
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Max Dowman becomes Arsenal’s youngest starter
The records didn’t stop there, with Max becoming the youngest player to feature in the UEFA Champions League when he came on as a substitute in our 3-0 victory away to Slavia Prague in November, aged 15 years and 308 days.
Following the signing of his pre-agreement, Max said: “This means everything to me and my family. We all support Arsenal and I really feel like I belong here. I’d like to thank all my coaches, teammates and, most importantly, my family and friends, who have got me to where I am today.
“I’ve been at the club my whole life, so this really means a lot. There’s such a clear pathway here, players who have come through our academy, like Bukayo, Myles and Ethan, who all really inspire me. It’s amazing to have role models so close that have experienced the same thing that I have. I’m now so excited to continue to work hard with my development.”
The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
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Nwaneri and Dowman: The PL’s youngest-ever players
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