Brentford sign teenager despite Arsenal trial | OneFootball

Brentford have signed Coran Madden from Cliftonville FC, following the player’s trial with Arsenal last summer.

Photo via Madden on Instagram

Brentford officially confirmed the signing of 16-year-old Coran Madden this week, with the player joining from Northern Irish side Cliftonville FC.

Madden was immediately into action with his new side, playing for Brentford’s u18s against Coventry City on Saturday. The young forward came on as a substitute in the 63rd minute and nearly capped his cameo with a goal, if not for an excellent save by the opposition goalkeeper.

Yet it could all have been very different for Madden, as he was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last year.

Photo via Madden on Instagram

Cliftonville confirmed in July 2024 that Madden would spend a week on trial with Arsenal, following previous trials with Manchester City and Manchester United.

With the player considered at the time to be one of Northern Ireland’s top prospects, it seemed inevitable he’d end up at a Premier League club before long.

Madden scored on his trial with United, and he repeated the trick for Arsenal by scoring in a friendly match against Watford. But in the end, he’s joined Brentford instead.

Photo via Madden on Instagram

Perhaps Madden feels he has a better pathway to first-team football by joining one of the Premier League’s non-big-six clubs, though Arsenal have certainly handed out plenty of opportunities to young players in recent seasons. Or maybe Arsenal simply decided against the move.

Regardless of the reasoning, Madden will now be looking to make his breakthrough for one of Arsenal’s league rivals.