Arsenal Complete Two-Year Deal for Young Nigerian Defender

Former Charlton Athletic centre-back Semi Ajayi has revealed that he has joined Arsenal on a two year deal after suitably impressing the club's coaching staff.

The 19 year old left Charlton at the end of last season and had been training with Norwich City after accepting an offer of a trial with the Premier League club.

He made two appearances for Norwich's Under-21 side and scored one goal, leading to manager Chris Hughton deciding to offer the towering defender a six-month deal.

Ajayi decided against signing with the club and has now put pen to paper on a contract with Arsenal who will undoubtedly hope that they have discovered one for the future.

"Delighted to announce that I have officially signed for Arsenal ," Ajayi wrote on his Twitter page. "Can't wait to see what the next two seasons here have in store for me.

"It was sad to end my ten year spell with Charlton this summer but I can't speak highly enough of all of the wonderful people I met during my ten years there and I wish all those at Charlton the best for the future as I will always have a soft spot for the club and its fans."

Ajayi spent one-month on-loan at Dartford in December 2012 but failed to make a senior appearance for Charlton before leaving in the summer.

The young centre-back had been on Charlton's books since under nine level but he will now hope to impress Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger and progress through the youth set-up to the first team.

Despite being raised in England, Ajayi has represented Nigeria at various youth levels and was a provisional member of the Under20 squad earlier this summer.