Ben White has proved to be one of the Premier League’s finest young prospects, having recently been a part of the England squad for Euro 2020.
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Ben White has joined Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion on a long-term contract. The 23-year-old defender has proved to be one of the Premier League’s finest young prospects. White joins the English giants after spending the summer as part of the England squad at the Euros. The 23-year-old spent the 2019/20 season on loan at Leeds United. He was an ever-present in their Championship-winning side, helping them win promotion back to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. White returned to the south coast last season, becoming a key member of Brighton’s Premier League side.
The defender started his youth career at Southampton, before going on to join Brighton as a 16-year-old. White enjoyed rapid progress, making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old. The 23-year-old also spent successful loan spells with Newport County and Peterborough United, during his time at Brighton, as well as the Championship-winning spell with Leeds.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta termed White as a top target, terming his intelligence as a massive bonus.
“Ben was a top target for us and it’s great that we’ve completed his signing. Ben has been educated with two very good clubs, Brighton and Leeds, in recent seasons. He has benefitted well from two very good coaching set-ups and has shown with both Brighton and on loan with Leeds what a strong talent he is,” said Arteta.
“Ben is an intelligent defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and his style fits perfectly with us. And of course, he is still young, so his age and profile fits with what we are building here. We are all looking forward to Ben being central to our future long-term plans,” he added.
Technical director Edu hailed White as an English player with a great future.
“Ben has been a key target this summer. He has so many qualities which make us so excited he’s joining us. Ben’s a young English player with a great future. He’s very strong defensively, good on the ball with a great passing range. We’re delighted Ben’s signed and we look forward to him growing with us,” he stated.
The 23-year-old will wear the No 4 shirt. He will immediately join up with his new team-mates ahead of The Mind Series friendly match at home to Chelsea on Sunday.
Arsenal recently completed the signing of midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga from Anderlecht on a long-term contract. The 21-year-old midfielder came through the Belgian club’s youth system after joining in 2014 as a 15-year-old. Lokonga signed his first professional contract in November 2017, making his first-team debut for Anderlecht in December 2017. The midfielder has been a regular in their side over the past two seasons, making a total of 78 appearances.
The Belgium Under-21 international was called up at senior level in March 2021, when he was an unused substitute against Greece. Lokonga will join up with his new teammates in the coming days, after he has completed the current isolation regulations for international arrivals into the UK. The midfielder will wear the No 23 shirt and have the name Sambi on the back.
