$7 Million McDermott Signs On With No.1 Dreams

IK Våg goalkeeper Sean McDermott will touch down in London tomorrow morning to begin his new career with Arsenal, but while one stopper is just at the start of his adventure with the Gunners, another is saying his good byes.

Charlie Mann will complete the formalities of his move across London to Crystal Palace shortly having agreed to transfer to the Eagles a month ago. The 16-year-old was due to sign a scholarship this summer but decided to jump ship due to McDermott’s arrival added to the progress of Luke Chambers and Yilmaz Aksoy.

Mann featured on a handful of occasions for the Under 18’s last term and was the substitute stopper throughout the successful Youth Cup run in. Unfortunately he was given no assurances over his future ahead of the new campaign and has decided to seek a new challenge. It draws to a close Charlie’s occasion with Arsenal which started when he was just 9.

Yet where one player departs, another enters. Norwegian born Republic of Ireland Under 17 international Sean McDermott has finally completed his long awaited transfer after agreeing a deal before Christmas. Liam Brady will no doubt be delighted to have beaten a whole host of English and Scottish club’s to his signature after two trials.

Sean kept goal in the final of the Atalanta Cup last summer and saved and then scored the winner in the final shootout against Juventus. He then went away for another tournament shortly after the season began where it was made clear that Arsenal were keen to sign him. Previous trials with Tottenham, Manchester United, Leeds United and Falkirk were also successful but the McDermott family wanted Sean to finish school before leaving minnows IK Våg where he was the second choice ‘keeper for the first team despite his tender age.

The Kristiansand born 16-year-old recently celebrated his 16th birthday and he’s agreed a three-year-deal which will take him up to his 19th – where Sean believe he’ll only be a year away from challenging for first team honours.

“It feels really great, Arsenal is one of the biggest clubs and one of the best at developing players”

“I think I can be the first choice keeper there when I’m a little over 20 years old. I’m not going to Arsenal for nothing – I will be the first choice keeper”

Respected agent Jim Solbakken helped push through the transfer – like he did with another Gunner, Havard Nordtveit, – and he too believes his client made the right choice in joining Arsene Wenger’s men.

“Now, Sean has managed to come to one of the world’s best clubs. Only it is an achievement. Now there is all the processes – but he can go all the way”

Solbakken was coy on the amount of money which changed hands between the two clubs but confirmed that McDermott would only receive scholarship pay, and that the majority of the money Arsenal will pay would come if Sean makes the first team. Local newspapers speculate that the fee is around $7 million dollars (£4.3 million). He will begin next season as the first choice Under 18 goalkeeper.

Article By – J.Sanderson