Manchester United confirmed the arrival of teenage defender Ayden Heaven on Saturday morning, completing their latest swoop for an Arsenal academy product.
Barcelona and Eintracht Frankfurt were also thought to be interested in the 18-year-old left-footer, who has spent the last five years rising through the ranks of Arsenal youth teams and was set to be out of contract in the summer. United won the race for Heaven’s signature, agreeing a deal worth in the region of £1.5m.
United are no strangers to poaching the brightest young talents from the Gunners’ academy. Chido Obi-Martin signed his first professional contract with the Red Devils in December shortly after leaving Arsenal.
Heaven followed the same path but, unlike Obi-Martin, is expected to be immediately integrated into the first-team squad. “I am incredibly proud to join Manchester United,” the teenager said after signing a contract until June 2029.
“I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this dream a reality. There is so much that I want to achieve in the game, I’ll be giving everything to continue my development and become the best player that I can be.”
Manchester United technical director Jason Wilcox, who sat alongside Heaven at his unveiling, added: “We are delighted that Ayden has joined Manchester United. He is already an extremely talented defender who is ready to join our first-team squad in order to maximise his development.
Settling in 🏡#MUFC pic.twitter.com/vT7LsOYC4V
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 1, 2025
“This club has a phenomenal track record of supporting young players and we believe that Ayden is in the perfect place to reach his excellent potential.”
United proudly boast to have included an academy player in every senior matchday squad since 1937. Ruben Amorim confirmed the club’s commitment to producing young stars this week but warned that some of these junior talents would have to be sold for profit.
“The focus is that we have to improve the academy and we have to bring more [players through],” the head coach outlined. “That is something that all of the clubs in England have to take advantage [of], the players that come from the academy.
“To play, to feel the shirt and to sell. Our focus is to bring more, the rest I just want to prepare with both of them the next game.”
Heaven will wear the number 26 for United, last worn by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
