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24th August 2025
11:34am BST
Victor Ozhianvuna is set to become the most expensive League of Ireland export of all time after reportedly agreeing a pre-contract agreement with Arsenal.
The 16-year-old will join Arsenal in January 2027, when he turns 18, for a fee of €2m, according to the Irish Independent.
The fee breaks the previous record broken by Arsenal’s rivals Tottenham, who have signed St Patrick’s Athletic striker Mason Melia for €1.7m. Melia will move to Spurs in January 2026.
The Irish Independent also report that the figure could rise to above €4m with additional clauses, and there is also a healthy sell-on clause as part of the deal.
Ozhianvuna is Tallaght-born and raised, and is the son of a Nigerian mother and Russian mother.
An announcement is expected this coming week.
Arsenal have reportedly been tracking Ozhianvuna since 2023, when he appeared for Rovers in a youth tournament staged at the Gunners' academy.
He has made several cameo appearances from off the bench for Rovers in the League of Ireland this season, and made a start in the FAI Cup against Wexford in July, scoring a stunning goal.
He has appeared for Republic of Ireland at Under-17 and Under-18 level.
Stephen Bradley said of youngster Ozhianvuna in July: "He is a really special talent. I think that is quite clear to see. You will see that more and more as he goes.
“There are so many more layers to him; he can play inside, he can be the 10, he can play off the right, off the front-man. He’s a special talent.
“Teams have watched Victor since he was 12 years of age. That team has travelled across Europe, played top teams, so everyone knows him, all the clubs.
“Even though he hasn’t been overly exposed over here in the first-team, everyone knows him. You are just going to see the kid get better and better. I love his attitude."
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