Arsenal have beaten off competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth along with SPL team Glasgow Rangers for 15-year-old goalkeeper Sean McDermott, who is currently contracted at Norwegian club Vag.

The young starlet has already trained with Spurs and United, with Pompey and the Gers also interested in offering McDermott the stage to start his career, but it is the Emirates Stadium and the Gunners, who McDermott has opted for and will join the North London club when he turns 16 in May 2009.

Championship sides Reading, Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town had also been interested in McDermott, but it was Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s proven track record of developing and giving young talent its chance that proved to be the deciding factor.

McDermott said: “The facilities, coaches, and environment at Arsenal have made up my mind. This is all I've ever dreamt of.”

The player's advisor, Jim Solbakken, added: “Arsenal have shown that they are great at developing young players.

“Sean, at the age of 16, will be given a chance to train with their academy. It is a great chance for him.”