Arsenal Seal Teen Prodigy Transfer

Arsenal have completed the signing of promising Luton Town teenager Tarum Dawkins for 'a significant transfer fee'.

Dawkins, 16, had been training with the Gunners' under-16 team since the turn of the year but will now join the club's youth set-up.

The new Arsenal signing becomes the latest product of the Hatters' academy to sign for a Premier League club.

A month ago, the club confirmed the departure of brothers Rio, Cole and Jay Dasilva to Chelsea.

"This deal has been a lot more drawn out than others completed by the club in the last two years, and this reflects the level of interest show in Tarum," Gregg Broughton, head of youth at Kenilworth Road, told the club's official website.

"We are delighted that Tarum has found a club that he feels can help him fulfil his dream of playing at the highest level.

"Despite the club's current non-league status, we continue to produce players with Premier League pedigree," he said.

"Luton Town is still recognised as one of the foremost breeding grounds for identifying and developing Premier League players in the country."

Despite reported interest from 14 Premier League clubs, Tarum plumbed for a move to Arsenal so that he could remain close to his home in Kilburn.

"We never like to lose talented players from the club, but after sitting down with Tarum and his family last month we recognised that he was desperate to join Arsenal," Broughton added.

"We would like to thank Arsenal for the professional manner in which they have conducted themselves and wish Tarum the very best for his ongoing career."