Max Dowman sends message as Arsenal finalise last-gasp transfer
Arsenal have completed the signing of Stoke City prospect Jaden Dixon after a transfer deadline day scramble.
Jamaica have attempted to get Dixon to switch international allegiances, with the 18-year-old having already made two Championship appearances.
The England youth international is expected to join up with the Gunners’ Under-21s, and could play alongside Marli Salmon.
Highly-rated 16-year-old defender Salmon made his Arsenal debut in December and featured in the FA Cup earlier this month.
Arsenal signed Evan Mooney from St Mirren on deadline day, as well, but were beaten by Tottenham to the signature of teenage Hearts striker James Wilson.
Max Dowman reacts to Jaden Dixon arrival
Last week, Arsenal announced that Dowman has signed a pre-contract agreement that will see him sign his first professional contract in December.
It has been known for some time that the 16-year-old would commit his future to the Gunners, but such is the teenager’s profile, the confirmation would have come as a relief.
Dowman has broken all manner of records this season – becoming the youngest player in Champions League history when he made his debut in November, becoming the youngest player to ever win a Premier League penalty when he was fouled by Anton Stach, and so many more.
The England youth international has ripped it up at the youth level against players much older than him for some time, but the speed at which he has adapted to first-team football has been staggering.
Currently injured with an ankle issue, Dowman will hope to play some part of the remaining season for Arsenal.
But the Gunners will take care with his development, and the same can be said for new signing Dixon, who was confirmed to have arrived on Tuesday in a deal reportedly worth around £500k.
Dowman liked the post on Instagram, with the pair already well acquainted.
Dixon names former Premier League defender as influence
Dixon signed for Stoke from Tottenham in 2023 with the aim of attaining further minutes for his development.
The defender has since become a regular for England’s U19s, and has now secured his move to Arsenal.
Speaking in 2024, Dixon revealed that former Premier League defender Ryan Shawcross had been coaching him.
“Ryan has taught me a lot, especially when it comes to my game off the ball and out of possession,” he said.
“I also feel like I’m naturally more of a player who is comfortable on the ball, but he has really implemented those necessary traits off the ball into my game, which has added good balance.”