Young Gunner joins the Clarets
Chelmsford City is delighted to announce the signing of goalkeeper Ovie Ejeheri on loan from Premier League side Arsenal until January 2023.
Ejeheri, 19, signed his professional contract with the Gunners in August 2021 after playing for their Under 18s side, and then progressed last season into the Under 23s, making 8 appearances in the Premier League 2.
He appeared in the FA Youth Cup for Arsenal in the 2020-21 season, playing 4 matches as they made the quarter-finals. Last season he played for Arsenal U23s in the Papa John’s Trophy, with Ejeheri playing against Wigan Athletic, Ipswich Town, Newport County and Swindon Town.
He is also known as a penalty-saving specialist, having saved a couple of penalties during Arsenal’s run in the Papa John’s Trophy.
Robbie Simpson commented upon the signing, “We’ve had a few discussions with Arsenal on how we can build a relationship with them.
“We had a chat about us loaning some of their younger players as they like what we’re doing at the club, so we told them what positions we were after and they wanted to get Ovie out on loan so they sent us a few clips of him.
“We’re after competition for places this season so we wanted someone to fight for the number 1 jersey along with Jacob Marsden. Jacob had his first season as a 1st choice keeper last season and when we brought Kai McKenzie-Lyle in last season as competition, we found that Jacob’s performances in training went up a level so it’s something we wanted to do for the upcoming season and have that battle for the shirt again.
“Ovie fits that bill completely as he wants to play and get that experience in men’s football.
“He’s a big, strapping lad at 6’5” so he can dominate his box but as well as that because of his schooling at Arsenal he’s very good with his feet so he can play out from the back as well. He’s got great power and agility to make saves.
“He’s a really exciting signing for us, so we can’t wait to welcome him into the building and start hopefully what will be a really good relationship with Arsenal.”
All at Chelmsford City FC wish Ovie the best of luck in his spell with the club.
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