Son of a gun Luis Brown: Why I chose Arsenal over West Ham - despite family legacy | OneFootball

Luis Brown has explained why he chose to sign for Arsenal ahead of West Ham United as a junior player.

Brown's father, Kenny Brown, played for the Hammers, while his grandfather, Ken, managed over 350 appearances for the Irons.

Writing for arsenal.com, Gunners academy prospect Luis explained: "The footballing legacy in my family is impossible to ignore. From my grandad Ken – a West Ham legend – to my dad Kenny, who has played everywhere from Plymouth to Torrevieja, it has always felt inevitable that I would follow in their footsteps. I've always wanted to be a footballer – there's no other job in the world I'd rather do.

"My journey to Arsenal and London Colney has been an interesting one. I was born in Spain, while my dad was managing a club in Valencia, and it wasn't long before I stepped out onto the pitch... as the team's mascot!

"My dad's playing and coaching experience still comes in handy, and he always gives me good advice – not that I'd ever tell him that, of course! Even though Dad's the one who introduced me to football, I definitely can't leave my mum out. After years of watching my dad play across the country, she then took me to training every single day, and I couldn't appreciate it more. Now I'm nearly driving, she can finally rest!

"We moved back to England just after I turned five and although the pronunciation of my name changed, my love of football didn't. I started playing Sunday league for Byron Red Star and, looking back on it, we were a pretty decent side. Some of the lads went to Tottenham, West Ham and Bournemouth, and we keep in touch even though we're competing against each other now.

"Alongside Sunday league, I played for Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham until under-9 level, which is the year you have to choose one team. Growing up in a die-hard West Ham household didn't make it an easy choice, but after speaking with my family it became clear that there was only one option. Arsenal had the better coaches, the better facilities and the better players. Once I'd decided, there was no turning back. It was time for Hale End."