Creative starlet Trae Coyle has signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

Coyle, who can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, turns 17 today and has produced some excellent performances this season since returning from injury.

Although he hesitated over signing a scholarship deal earlier in the campaign, Coyle has put pen to paper on a professional contract with Arsenal at the earliest possible opportunity.

The youngster has scored three goals in four league appearances for Arsenal U18s this season, whilst he provided an assist on his U23 debut against Derby County last month.

Excellent technically, the Hale End product featured in the UEFA Youth League for Arsenal while he was a schoolboy and is very highly regarded within the club.

Coyle becomes the second member of this season’s batch of first-year scholars to turn professional after Xavier Amaechi did so last week and it is hoped that he can continue to develop apace in the second half of the season.