The Gunners secure the 16-year-old forward, a youth international for Netherlands, with Wim Jonk expressing his disappointment at the Dutch club losing a "great talent"
Arsenal have signed 16-year-old striker Donyell Malen from Ajax, the Dutch club have announced.
The teenager, already a youth international for Netherlands, was courted to stay by the Eredivisie side but has opted to develop with the Gunners instead.
Ajax's head of youth development, Wim Jonk, lamented his departure but says that Arsenal have star potential on their hands.
"Donyell is a great talent," Jonk told the club's official website. "It is extremely unfortunate that he is leaving Ajax.
"We have made him an excellent offer and presented a clear development plan but the player has still made another choice, which is disappointing. The potential is clear and the opportunities will come with Ajax. We are continuing with the guys who do believe in it."
With Malen unlikely to go straight into the senior reckoning, goalkeeper Petr Cech remains Arsenal's only first-team signing so far this summer.
The teenager, already a youth international for Netherlands, was courted to stay by the Eredivisie side but has opted to develop with the Gunners instead.
Ajax's head of youth development, Wim Jonk, lamented his departure but says that Arsenal have star potential on their hands.
"Donyell is a great talent," Jonk told the club's official website. "It is extremely unfortunate that he is leaving Ajax.
"We have made him an excellent offer and presented a clear development plan but the player has still made another choice, which is disappointing. The potential is clear and the opportunities will come with Ajax. We are continuing with the guys who do believe in it."
With Malen unlikely to go straight into the senior reckoning, goalkeeper Petr Cech remains Arsenal's only first-team signing so far this summer.
Official: Arsenal sign teenage striker Malen from Ajax
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