Arsenal make centre back signing after Per Mertesacker decision

Arsenal have signed 16-year-old defender Maldini Kacurri, understands.

The Albanian youth international was picked up by the Gunners after being released by Championship side Fulham.

Kacurri was involved for Arsenal in the match against Garuda Select, a UK TV show about international players trying to make it in European football.

understands that academy chief Per Mertesacker and his team are looking to bring in more youngsters from different regions across Northern Europe.

"All of the boys that have come in, show champion mentality as that is a pre-requisite to any player we look to sign," Yousuf Sajjad, Arsenal's Head of Emerging Talent, told in December.

"From the lads above to Nikolaj Moller who is an unbelievable human being as well as being a player with elite potential, to Joel Ideho and Omar Rekik who have all had to move country and adapt to a completely different way of living.

"They all show exciting potential, individual qualities as footballers/fit the profile of what we look for in our first team but most important – highlight the respect, discipline, humility that is key to success within our academy to become a strong young gunner."

Meanwhile, understands that Arteta is a huge admirer of Flores and will assess him over pre-season to see whether he could be integrated into the first-team picture.

The 18-year-old has had a rapid rise through professional football so far, graduating through the Arsenal academy after joining from Ipswich Town in 2019.

Flores was called up to the senior squad for the first time as Arsenal lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night.