Zak Swanson: Portsmouth sign Arsenal defender on two-year contract
- Published
Zak Swanson was an unused substitute for Arsenal in the Premier League last season
Portsmouth have signed Arsenal defender Zak Swanson for an undisclosed fee.
The 21-year-old has agreed a two-year deal at Fratton Park with the club holding an option to extend his contract a further 12 months.
Swanson, who joined the Gunners aged six, failed to break into the Premier League side's first team, although he did make six appearances for their under-21s in the EFL Trophy.
He also spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Dutch side MVV Maastricht.
"We've highlighted that we want to try to bring talented young players to the club," Portsmouth manager Danny Cowley told the League One club's website., external
"Zak is exactly that and brings an energy and athleticism to our squad after a fantastic footballing education at Arsenal.
"He's technically very good and has lovely passing skills, along with the ability to manipulate the ball in tight areas.
"There are still areas of the game for him to work at - like with all young players - but it's an exciting signing because we see the growth in Zak."
Cowley uses Arsenal link to sign Swanson - analysis
BBC Radio Solent's Portsmouth commentator Andrew Moon
Zak Swanson clearly fits in with Portsmouth's stated transfer policy - sign young players for small fees who can be developed and potentially sold on for significantly more.
Fifteen years in the Arsenal academy is a fine place for a footballing education, however, there's always a gamble signing young players with limited senior experience - Swanson is yet to play a first-team game in England.
Miguel Azeez struggled to make the adjustment to League One last season but Swanson is three years older than Azeez was. There's a relationship between head coach Danny Cowley and Arsenal following Emile Smith-Rowe's important loan spell at Huddersfield when Cowley was in charge there.
Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.
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