Arsenal's official website confirmed that 19-year old defender Carl Jenkinson has signed with the club from League One club Charlton Athletic today. Jenkinson is the first new signing of the summer for the Gunners.
Jenkinson is eligible to play for both England and Finland (although were he to choose the latter, may we suggest a name spelling change to something more like Kaarl Jenkenninsen?), and has captained the Finland U-19 side. The official site describes his abilities:
Jenkinson joins Arsenal having featured nine times for Charlton Athletic’s first team. Predominantly a right-back, the 6ft 1ins youngster can also play in the centre of defence.
Not exactly a shambling, drooling, club-wielding Baltic Sea giant, then, but a promising one for the future anyhow, especially as youthful cover for Bacary Sagna, who is 28.
In addition to Jenkinson, Arsenal have signed new contracts with midfielders Oghuzan Ozyakup and Chucks Aneke as well as striker Benik Afobe, who scored 8 in 36 for Huddersfield at age 17-18.