Arsenal Secures Prolific Young Forward Mylo Bernard
Arsenal have secured one of the most prolific young forwards in the country, with Crystal Palace striker Mylo Bernard completing his move to the Gunners’ academy on a scholarship deal that already has professional terms locked in.
The 16-year-old joins as part of Arsenal’s 2026/27 scholarship intake, with the club confirming that a pre-contract agreement for his first professional deal will kick in when he turns 17.
A ruthless finisher arrives
Arsenal’s announcement underlined why they pushed so hard to get Bernard in the building. He hit more than 40 goals for Crystal Palace’s academy last season, a staggering return that included six strikes while playing up an age group in the U18 Premier League.
That output has not gone unnoticed at international level either. Bernard is already an England youth international, with four goals and two assists in eight appearances for the England U16s. He now steps into an academy that has increasingly become a fast track to first-team football in north London.
A busy summer in the academy
Bernard is far from the only fresh face. Arsenal have been aggressive in reshaping their youth ranks, bringing in talent from across Britain and beyond.
- Daniel McCarron has arrived from Dungannon Swifts
- Elijah Upson from Tottenham Hotspur
- Phoenix Blayney from Larne FC
- Igor Tyjon joins from Blackburn Rovers
- James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye make the switch from Manchester United
- Axel Donczew comes in from Cardiff City
- Andria Bartishvili from Kolkheti 1913
Some of those deals are already completed, others are agreed with paperwork set to be finalised in 2027, but the pattern is clear: Arsenal are stockpiling high-upside prospects.
Compensation battles in the background
Bernard’s contract with Palace expired this summer, yet because of his age he could not simply walk away as a free agent. Arsenal had to reach a compensation agreement with Palace to seal the transfer.
They face a similar situation with another target. The club are believed to be close to formally announcing the signing of Vincent Joseph from Liverpool, whose deal at Anfield also ran out at the end of the season. This time, though, there is no agreement yet. The fee is expected to be decided by a tribunal after talks failed to produce a settlement.
For now, Arsenal have their man in Bernard – a teenager with goals, pedigree, and a pathway ahead of him. The question is how quickly he can turn those academy numbers into something that echoes around the Emirates.
