Arsenal striker Benik Afobe leaves for permanent move at Wolverhampton Wanderers

Arsenal starlet Benik Afobe has joined Wolverhampton Wanderers after the clubs reached a deal for the striker's permanent move, the Premier League giants confirmed.

Having joined the Gunners at the age of eight, the 21-year-old forward was once considered one of the next big things to emerge from both the Arsenal academy and English football.

But although he made it to the first team in 2010, Afobe has since failed to feature for manager Arsene Wenger's senior squad, spending the last few seasons on loan at Huddersfield Town, Reading, Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall.

Last summer, Wenger decided to loan out him once to MK Dons as with Danny Welbeck, Alexis Sanchez, Yaya Sanogo and Olivier Giroud in the squad, Afobe's time at the Emirates was going to be limited.

But even though Afobe has since excelled at the League One side – scoring 19 goals in 30 games, including a brace against Manchester United in the League Cup in August – Wenger has decided to part ways with him on permanent basis, while cancelling the loan deal with MK Dons, and selling the striker to Wolverhampton.

"Benik Afobe has completed a permanent move to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee," the club confirmed.

"Everyone at Arsenal would like to thank Benik for his contribution to the club and to wish him all the best at Wolverhampton Wanderers."

The England Under-21 was in the final year of his contract with the Gunners and Wolverhampton boss Kenny Jackett recently confirmed the club were interested in securing the striker.

"He might be [coming in] and we will see how the weekend has gone. Over this weekend the medical should be completed," Jackett told Sky Sports following Wolves' 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday 11 January.

Afobe, who is a close friend of Jack Wilshere, had claimed earlier this season that he still dreamed about thriving with Arsenal's first team.

However, he has followed in the footsteps of both Yaya Sanogo and Lukas Podolski, who have left the club - albeit on loan - during the current transfer window.