Jamie on the Edge of Arsenal switch
Teenage prospect Jamie Edge is set to complete his dream move from Cheltenham Town to Premier League Arsenal within the next week, writes Jon Palmer.
The 15-year-old midfielder also attracted interest from Manchester United, but the Robins have now agreed terms with the Gunners.
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Cheltenham Town youngster Jamie Edge is set to complete his move to Arsenal
Edge has been keen to join the North London club from the outset and all that remains is for Arsenal to agree terms with the Churchdown School pupil.
Robins chairman Paul Baker said: "I have spoken to Liam Brady (Arsenal's head of youth development) and it will happen in the next week."
Edge spent three days training with Manchester United over the Easter holidays.
He then featured in an Under-16s game for Arsenal before travelling to Italy with the Gunners to play in the Atalanta Cup, where they were beaten by Inter Milan.
Gloucester-born Edge was almost promoted to Cheltenham's first-team squad for the home match with Oldham Athletic on March 24, but needed to be 15 at the start of last September – his birthday is on September 9.
He has been with Cheltenham since the inception of the club's under-nine team in the 2002-03 season and has developed into a strong, 6ft 1in central midfielder or centre-half.
He was promoted to the Under-16s side at the age of 13 and he forced his way into the Under-18s team and the reserves last season.
Meanwhile, striker Lloyd Owusu has extended his trial at Adelaide United to a second week.
The former Cheltenham Town target man, who has been offered a deal by League One club Brighton, is currently in Australia and is believed to be keen on a move down under with the A-League.
"Things are looking quite good with Lloyd," Adelaide's football director Michael Valkanis said.
"He'll get to know the boys a little bit better by training with us for another week and that's a good thing."
● Robins club captain John Finnigan and veteran left-back Alan Wright have both passed their UEFA B Licence coaching badges.
Wright, who has been released by Cheltenham, will begin his A licence at Lilleshall this summer.
27 Comments
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by wilbur, glos
Saturday, May 30 2009, 6:07PM
“scout, you may well be right about jamie playing premier league football,but having had the priviledge of knowing and coaching him he has the one thing you cannot coach(and what alot of talented lads dont have) that is a first class attitude and willingness to listen and learn.Good luck J”
by spike, whaddon
Friday, May 29 2009, 5:27PM
“I'm in total agreement with Barry from Devizes, Liam Brady pure class and seems to have done a decent job of spotting players with potential, probably knows a tad more than glos scout about football, there u -18's have just done the double and he seems to have a lot of talented youngsters comming through the system. It's a great honour to be asked to join any of the top 4 clubs, but I think he is with the best team for his footballing education.The glos scout obviously hasn't got a clue about football developement. All the best Jamie from the whaddon boys.”
by Greg, Cheltenham
Thursday, May 28 2009, 6:27PM
“I've heard rumours today that the fee is only 100K”
by Annoyed with, Scout
Thursday, May 28 2009, 3:08PM
“Scout your commenting on his ability and how he is not good enough- hes FIFTEEN(15), to make those comments are stupid and ridiculous”
by george, Redmarley
Thursday, May 28 2009, 1:18PM
“Scout from gloucester i think you've lost the plot... i'm a good friend of Jamie's and he deserves a lot of credit.... jealous are we scout?”
by john, London
Thursday, May 28 2009, 10:33AM
“No worries mate gooners will take care of him. Has anyone actually seen Jamie Edge play? Whats he like? Arsenal are producing alot of english youngsters now u will see the likes of wilshere, lansbury, bartley, ayling, thomas, murphy playin for the arsenal first team i rekcon.”
by Phil, Glos
Thursday, May 28 2009, 7:57AM
“Good luck to the Gloucester lad”
by Richard lll, Cheltenham
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 5:28PM
“Jon - keep us updated on his progress if poss. Be great to see Jamie make it to the big time.”
by john, London
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 4:28PM
“Hi town fans gooner here good luck next season. Is jamie edge a centre half or central midfielder? He probaly play for arsenal under 18 next season and play for arsenal youth cup games”
by ricco, the shire
Wednesday, May 27 2009, 4:25PM
“Be quiet Barry, ALL London clubs are rubbish. Just watch the real footballers tonight.”