Alex Pantling via Getty Images
Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Cardiff City’s youngest-ever player, Axel Donczew.
Donczew, 16, became the youngest player to ever represent Cardiff’s first team when he was introduced as a second-half substitute against Newport County in the EFL Trophy on October 25, aged 15 years and 234 days.
The teenager made his second and final first-team appearance for Cardiff against AFC Wimbledon in December of that year.
Donczew, who has been deployed in attacking midfield roles in addition to wide positions, has also represented Wales at every youth level from under-15 to under-19. He is also eligible to represent Poland.
Born in 2010, Axel Donczew became @CardiffCityFC’s youngest ever player last night, replacing Rob Tankiewicz who had broken the record himself just 64 minutes earlier! 👏🏆#EFL | #VertuTrophy | #RaisedintheEFL pic.twitter.com/qUcXz3m6Fy
— EFL Trophy (@EFLTrophy) October 8, 2025
Arsenal were previously linked with teenage winger Jeremy Monga. However, the north London club felt that Leicester City’s £10million ($13.3m) valuation of the 17-year-old was too high and he subsequently joined Manchester City earlier this month.
Arsenal’s 16-year-old England youth international Mishel Nduka turned down a new deal at the club and, like Monga, also joined City.
They did, however, complete the signing of former defender Matthew Upson’s son Elijah following the 18-year-old’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur. The teenager will join the club’s academy.
The Premier League champions also announced the €40m ($45.8m, £34m) first-team signing of Christos Tzolis on Thursday.
Jul 23, 2026
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