It was just a few months ago that Brando was signing his two-year scholarship with us at Emirates Stadium - but after an electric start to the campaign, he’s been rewarded with his maiden professional deal.

“I'm very proud of myself,” Brando said after signing the contract at the Sobha Realty Training Centre.

“I'm also very proud of everyone who helped support me, but I also feel like it's not done yet. It's still a lot of hard work to do, but at the same time, I'm very grateful to the club for providing me with this opportunity.”

Brando joined us when he was just six years old and has spent over 11 years within our academy, from Hale End to Sobha Realty Training Centre. While he may have spent over 60% of his life playing for Arsenal, the teenager believes the real hard work is only just beginning.

“It kind of feels like I've been here my whole life,” he said. “It's almost like a family away from home, but at the same time, I realised that it's starting to get serious now, so I started working harder, and I'm very grateful to the club as well.

“The academy has shown time and time again that it provides all the players with fair opportunities, and I there are lots of ex-pros who will always help guide you in the right direction in order to maximise your career.”

Brando put pen to paper on his 17th birthday, another milestone in a fledgling career.

Devastating pace and trickery down the wing, Brando, who looks up to Ebere Eze in the first team squad, has netted four times already in 2025/26, including a goal in our first UEFA Youth League game of the season against Athletic Club.

So what does Brando put his fast start down to?

“I think it's down to hard work and also the coaches. They've helped guide me into places where I wouldn't think I would need to be, making sure I'm on the score sheet and making sure I keep a positive mindset.

“I’m just trying to stay on the score sheet as much as possible and also start pushing for the under-18s and under-21s, trying to get as many games as I can this season."

The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.