Arsenal coach delighted with big January signing, Gunners confirmed late goalkeeping deal, Defender happy with Late January move
Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews that we think you may have missed from deadline day…
ARSENAL goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo has joined Southern Premier Central Division side Hitchin Town on loan, it has been revealed over the weekend after a few days of talks.
Okonkwo, whose older brother Arthur used to be at Arsenal but now plays for Wrexham, will be with Hitchin until the end of the season after the Gunners made the decision to let him leave and get some much needed game time.
The 19-year-old has been part of Arsenal’s academy since 2018 and has previously spent time on loan at Leatherhead and Cheshunt. He also played for Hitchin in February last year, joining on a one-match loan, but will now spend months with them.
A statement from Arsenal on Saturday morning read: “Brian Okonkwo has joined Southern Premier Central Division side Hitchin Town on loan for the remainder of the season.
“The 19-year-old goalkeeper joined our academy in April 2018 and has gone on to feature for both Leatherhead and Cheshunt on work experience loan deals.
“Brian also featured for Hitchin Town in February 2023, when he joined them on a one-match loan.
“We wish Brian all the best for his loan spell at Hitchin Town and look forward to seeing his continued development.
“The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
IcFootballnews View…
Okonkwo may still be dreaming that he will eventually be a regular starter for Arsenal in the future, but this loan will give him an opportunity to impress a few clubs and maybe get a move away from the Emirates.
ARSENAL have so many quality players in the side that it will be very hard for someone like Okonkwo to ever break into that Gunners side, so even though this is a good move for the lad, it could be many over the next few seasons until he gets a permanent move away.
ARSENAL COACH DELIGHTED WITH CHLOE KELLY SIGNING
ARSENAL Head Coach Renée Slegers has revealed the excitement surrounding the January signing of Manchester City star Chloe Kelly until the end of the season.
Kelly joined the Gunners youth academy at the age of 12 in 2010 and went on to make 19 appearances for our first team between 2015 and 2018, scoring nine goals.
Now 27, Chloe had two loan spells at Everton during her time as an Arsenal player, before joining the Toffees on a permanent deal in 2018. She scored 18 goals in 51 appearances in total for Everton before sealing a move to Manchester City in 2020.
Chloe joined from Manchester City and will stay with the club until the end of the 2024/25 season, and Head Coach Renée Slegers has opened up and revealed the excitement of Kelly joining the club Slegers said: “Chloe is an exciting attacking player and will be a great addition to our squad as we approach the second half of the season. She’s direct and explosive, with huge natural talent and ability. We’re all looking forward to working with Chloe as an Arsenal player in the coming months.”
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Chloe back to Arsenal. As an academy graduate, we’ve been proud to see the career she’s gone on to enjoy, both at club and international level. We’re delighted she’ll be representing Arsenal again as we aim to compete for honours this season.”
Chloe will wear the number 18 jersey here at Arsenal.
IcFootballnews View…
It was a massive shock to see that Kelly was joining Arsenal until the end of the current season, it is definitely a move that will add some much needed quality to that Gunners attack and worry Chelsea.
ARSENAL want to win everything they can this season, so adding players like Kelly will certainly improve the side, it is a great signing.
KACURRI DELIGHTED WITH JANUARY MOVE
ARSENAL defender Maldini Kacurri has joined League Two side Bromley on loan for the remainder of the season, the Gunners have announced on dealdine day.
The Gunners posted: ‘The 19-year-old joined our academy in March 2022 having previously played for Fulham and went on to sign his first professional contract with us in June 2024.
‘Maldini has had a successful start to the 2024/25 campaign, already making 13 appearances in all competitions for our academy as well as making his first team debut, when he came on as a substitute in our 5-1 Carabao Cup win at home to Bolton back in September 2024.
‘The Albania youth international has also featured in our first team matchday squad on six other occasions, in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
‘We wish Maldini all the best for his loan spell at Bromley and look forward to seeing his continued development.
‘The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes’
The 19-year-old also played for Fulham at Youth level after leaving the Ravens where he spent time under coach Steve Aris and he has admitted that he is very happy with the move this deadline day.
“From when I was about 10 to 15, I was here with the Youth set-up. It’s a familiar place for me and I’m happy to be back.
“I was with Steve Aris. He’s a familiar face for me.”
IcFootballnews View…
It may not be the biggest transfer story of the day and one that will make many ARSENAL fans happy, but this is a very good move for the lad to make and one which we are sure he will enjoy for the rest of the season.
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