Former Arsenal youngster finds new home in Scotland | OneFootball

Charlie Gilmour, once tipped for senior success at Arsenal, has signed a three-year deal with Dunfermline Athletic after leaving Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

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Charlie Gilmour, once a highly rated prospect in Arsenal’s academy, has signed a three-year deal with Dunfermline Athletic, becoming Neil Lennon’s first signing since taking the job permanently.

The 26-year-old midfielder arrives from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, where he made 72 appearances over two seasons, scoring seven goals.

Gilmour’s time in the Highlands was marred by instability off the pitch, with Caley Thistle entering administration last October. His move to East End Park represents a platform from which to rebuild a career that once promised much.

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Born in Brighton to a Scottish father, Gilmour represented both England and Scotland at youth level. He joined Arsenal at the age of six and stayed for 14 years, working his way through the academy and captaining youth sides before making his first team debut in November 2018.

That night, he came on as a late substitute in a 3–0 Europa League win at Vorskla Poltava. The squad that day included Petr Čech, Aaron Ramsey, and a teenage Emile Smith Rowe, with Bukayo Saka also coming off the bench.

His second and final senior appearance came the following month at the Emirates Stadium against FK Qarabağ, but Gilmour was released in the summer of 2019 and joined Norwich City. He never made a senior appearance there either, eventually moving to St Johnstone, and taking in loan spells at Alloa Athletic and Cove Rangers before signing for Inverness.

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Reflecting on his move to Dunfermline, Gilmour said: “I’m already impressed and I’ve only been here half an hour. It’s just so professional and I can’t wait to get going. I’ve signed a three-year deal, which is a nice bit of security. I can just focus on my football now and try and aim for the Scottish Premiership.”

Now under the management of Lennon, Dunfermline are seeking to push towards the top end of the Scottish Championship after a season in mid-table. Gilmour, who has also played in the Dutch second tier, brings experience beyond his years, having already featured across five different clubs and three countries.

“Football is like a rollercoaster. I’m just looking forward to having a bit of stability now and just fully focusing on my football and progressing with the club,” he added.

For Gilmour, who once shared a dressing room with some of the most recognisable names of Arsenal’s post-Wenger era, the move to Dunfermline is a chance to channel his promise that has flickered, but not yet flourished.