Released Arsenal youngster signs for new club | OneFootball

Jack Henry-Francis has completed a move to Shelbourne FC, joining the League of Ireland side after being released by Arsenal this summer.

The 21-year-old midfielder, who had been a part of the Arsenal academy since the age of 13, has signed a multi-year contract with Shelbourne, subject to international clearance.

Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images

Henry-Francis, a Republic of Ireland underage international, began his youth career at Fulham before making the move to Arsenal.

Despite his potential, he was unable to break into the senior squad, though he spent considerable time with the first team under Mikel Arteta. He was even named in the squad for a pre-season tour of Scotland at the age of 17, which highlighted his promising development.

Over the course of his time at Arsenal, he was regularly involved in senior training sessions, but opportunities in competitive matches did not materialise.

Reflecting on his move to Shelbourne, Henry-Francis expressed his excitement: “I’m delighted to sign for Shelbourne and can’t wait to get started here. After speaking to Joey and everyone at the club, it felt like the place for me to further my career. I’m looking forward to some important matches coming up and excited to see the fans.”

Joey O’Brien, manager of Shelbourne, was full of praise for the young midfielder, describing him as a player with a “brilliant foundation” thanks to his development at Arsenal.

O’Brien said, “Jack’s a really talented midfielder with a brilliant foundation, coming through at Arsenal and spending time around their first team has given him a great grounding in the game. His loan at Sligo Rovers gave him real exposure to senior football in this league, and he impressed in every game. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to join us at a really exciting time for the club. We believe this is the perfect environment for him to keep developing, and we’re confident he can grow into a top-class midfielder here.”

During his loan spell at Sligo Rovers in the second half of 2024, Henry-Francis earned widespread acclaim for his performances, making 13 appearances for the club. His time in Ireland gave him valuable first-team experience, and it was clear that he had the ambition to push himself to the highest levels.

Sligo manager John Russell was complimentary about the player’s drive, stating in June: “Jack has ambitions to try and play at the highest level. When you see him sitting on the bench in Champions League games and Premier League games, I am sure his goal would be to try and stay in England.”

Despite discussions between Sligo and Arsenal over a permanent move, the transfer never materialised, and instead, Henry-Francis has opted for the next chapter of his career at Shelbourne.

Luke Byrne, Shelbourne’s Technical Director, also expressed his delight at securing the midfielder’s signature: “Very happy to welcome Jack to the club. He is a very determined and ambitious young man and that is the type of player and person we want at Shelbourne FC. He plays with intensity and personality and likes to control games with the ball. Jack had been a target of ours for a long time, so it’s great to finally have the chance to work with him and develop him to reach his full potential.”

Arteta placed in him. Arsenal’s decision to release Henry-Francis comes as part of their focus on refining their squad and progressing with a new generation of players, but the young midfielder will now look to carve out a successful career in the League of Ireland.