Arsenal Agree Pre-Contract Deal for Georgian Teen Andria Bartishvili

Arsenal have agreed a pre-contract deal for Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili, with the 17-year-old attacker due to formally join the club in July as the academy’s summer recruitment drive continues.

Key takeaways

• Bartishvili has committed to Arsenal on a pre-contract agreement ahead of his planned July arrival.
• The Georgian youth international can play as a winger or attacking midfielder and is currently on loan at Iberia 1999.
• He scored his first senior goal against Gagra in May while playing above parent club Kolkheti 1913.
• Juventus and Liverpool had also been tracking the teenager before Arsenal secured the deal.
• Arsenal have added Mylo Bernard, James Scanlon, Habeeb Ogunneye, Igor Tyjon, Axel Donczew and Phoenix Blayney during a busy academy period.

Georgia prospect set for north London move

Bartishvili arrives with a growing reputation in Georgian football, where he has been likened to fellow countryman Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His ability to operate in central attacking areas or from the flanks has made him one of the country’s most closely watched young players.

He is spending the current campaign with Georgian top-flight side Iberia 1999, having moved on loan from Kolkheti 1913. The spell has given him regular exposure at a higher level, and his goal against Gagra in May marked his first in senior professional football.

The 17-year-old has also played throughout Georgia’s international youth set-up, featuring from Under-16 level through to the Under-21s. Arsenal view that experience, alongside his club development, as a foundation for his next stage after arriving in England.

Interest in Bartishvili had extended beyond north London, with Juventus and Liverpool among the clubs to have monitored him over the past year. Arsenal’s pathway for young players and their recent record of bringing academy talent closer to the first-team environment were significant factors in winning the race for his signature.

Arsenal continue academy overhaul

Bartishvili’s agreement is the latest in a sequence of youth additions at London Colney. Arsenal recently confirmed the capture of former Crystal Palace prospect Mylo Bernard, who had scored 40 goals.

The club have also recruited James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye from Manchester United, while Igor Tyjon has joined from Blackburn Rovers. Axel Donczew has arrived after leaving Cardiff City and Phoenix Blayney has signed from Larne in Northern Ireland.

Further planning is already under way, with Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero set to arrive next August under existing pre-contract arrangements. The recruitment programme is aimed at strengthening Arsenal’s long-term options and maintaining a route from Hale End towards Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.