Arsenal secure pre-contract for Northern Ireland teenager Blayney ahead of Liverpool

Arsenal have won the race to sign Northern Ireland teenager Phoenix Blayney, with the Larne goalkeeper’s father confirming a pre-contract agreement that will see his son join the club professionally when he turns 17 in November 2027. Liverpool were also in contention for the 2008-born stopper, according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Alex Blayney, a former Northern Irish goalkeeper himself, revealed that his son trialled at Arsenal before committing to the move. “Phoenix enjoyed being at Arsenal, he felt a connection there and really likes the coaches,” he said. “One of his good friends, Daniel Mccarron, has joined the club and that’s probably one of the reasons, too. He and Daniel play in the same Northern Ireland team.”

Blayney is not expected to be considered for first-team football in the near term and will be gradually integrated into the senior set-up at London Colney.

The signing reflects Arsenal’s continued investment in their goalkeeping pipeline under first-team goalkeeping coach Inaki Cana. The club have brought in a senior goalkeeper every year of Mikel Arteta’s tenure, most recently adding Kepa Arrizabalaga as backup last summer. Academy additions Tommy Setford and Lucas Nygaard have also bolstered the ranks in recent years.

The depth of that pipeline was underlined in 2024 when 2008-born Jack Porter made his senior debut at just 16, called upon after both David Raya and Setford were injured and deputy Neto was cup-tied.

The Blayney deal is one of several youth moves Arsenal’s recruitment team are pursuing this summer. World Cup 2026 midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has been linked with both Arsenal and Liverpool, while Leicester City prospect Jeremy Monga is reportedly attracting interest following the Foxes’ relegation to League One.