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Arsenal teenager Max Dowman has signed a pre-professional deal when he turns 17 in December.
The 16-year-old’s professional contract will come into effect on his 17th birthday on December 31.
The deal puts the winger’s long-term future in the club’s hands after his breakthrough season with the first team this season.
Aged just 15 years and 302 days, Dowman became Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter when he was named in the squad for October’s Carabao Cup fourth round defeat to Brighton, the same month the England youth international signed terms on a scholarship to Arsenal.
A month later, he came on as a substitute in Arsenal’s victory over Slavia Prague, becoming the youngest player in the history of the Champions League (15 years and 308 days).
In August, Dauman became the second youngest player to appear in the Premier League and Arsenal (15 years and 235 days), second only to Gunners teammate Ethan Nwaneri (15 years and 181 days).
Dowman made his debut as a substitute in a home win over Leeds United in August and went on to make five appearances in all competitions.
But he has not featured for Mikel Arteta’s side since early November after suffering an ankle injury in a behind-closed-doors friendly in December.
With his professional contract agreed ahead of schedule, Dauman now hopes to return from injury this season to break another Arsenal record.
If he scores this season, he will become the youngest goalscorer in team history, surpassing Cesc Fabregas’ record of 16 years and 212 days set in December 2003.
