Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Arsenal have snapped up non-league player Cohen Bramall
The 20-year old will become Arsenal’s first January signing in a move that seems like a fairy tale come to life. Bramall will join Arsenal from non-league side Hednesford, marking an incredible rise to prominence for the youngster, who has been on trial with Arsenal since late December.
The young Englishman has been linked with a host of clubs in the past, including Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday, but Arsene Wenger has now confirmed that the left-back has signed for Arsenal.
“Cohen Brammal has signed for us. He’s an exceptional physical talent,” Wenger said, according to FootballLondon.
“I don’t think he’s ready, today, to play in Premier League but he has similarities to a young Ashley Cole.”
Bramall’s agent also confirmed that the youngster had sealed a remarkable move to Arsenal, only months after being fired from his job at a Bentley factory.
“It sounds crass to say this is a dream come true for Cohen but it clearly is,” Bramall’s agent Dan Chapman told Football London.
“We love playing a part in helping a young man, who was working full-time in the Bentley factory until made redundant recently. Many clubs watched him and one or two had advanced levels of interest in him. But only Arsenal agreed terms with Hednesford that led to us and the player being granted permission to explore the move.”
Wenger on Cohen Bramall: “He has signed for us. He’s an exceptional physical talent.” [@CarrieBrownTV via @beINSPORTS] #afc pic.twitter.com/DPTYgYy5cY
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) January 4, 2017
Bramall is expected to go straight into Arsenal’s under-23 side, where he’ll battle for a place on the left alongside Marc Bola and Tolaji Bola. A versatile left-sided player, the Englishman can play at both left-back as well as left-midfield, and Arsenal will look to continue their tradition of bringing attacking full-backs through the ranks.
The 20-year-old is technically skilled – as evidenced by his rabona assist that was featured on Soccer AM – and is blessed with impressive pace. Bramall’s assist went viral and he has been quickly gaining attention ever since.
Bramall has had spells at Kidsgrove Athletic, Alsager Town, Nantwich Town and Market Drayton and eventually earned a move to Newcastle Town. Despite the interest in his signing, given that he is a non-league player, Bramall is expected to be given plenty of time to develop and will not be fast-tracked into the first team.
