Arthur and Eyestone promoted to Brentford’s first-team squad | OneFootball

Defender Benjamin Arthur and goalkeeper Julian Eyestone have been promoted to Brentford’s first team.

They will be part of Keith Andrews’ squad from the beginning of the 2025/26 season and have both signed new long-term deals until the summer of 2031. The club has the option to extend Arthur's contract by a further year and Eyestone's stay by two years.

Arthur joined Brentford B from Peterborough United in August 2023 and has been a regular across the past two campaigns.

The 19-year-old centre-back made 19 appearances in the U21 Professional Development League last term. The young Bees beat Bournemouth 3-2 in a scintillating final at Vitality Stadium.

Arthur made a further eight outings in cup competitions, while also being included in first-team matchday squads on five occasions.

He scored a towering header in the Premier League Cup final loss to Queens Park Rangers and contributed two assists across a campaign which saw him named Under-21s Player of the Year.

“Winning Player of the Year is a great accolade for Benjamin individually and being promoted to the first team is fully deserved for his hard work and performances throughout the season,” said Neil MacFarlane, who has been appointed assistant first-team coach with Sam Saunders being promoted into the role of B team head coach.

“He has been a big presence in defence this year. Playing very consistently and confidently throughout the year, he and his team-mates got the success they deserved by winning the PDL national title.

“He will now look forward to joining the first team and hopefully continuing to show his very high potential as a young defender.”

Eyestone, a USA Under-20 international, signed for Brentford B from Duke University in June 2024 and quickly established himself in the starting line-up.

A graduate of FC Dallas Academy, Eyestone started in 16 PDL games and six cup fixtures, while he was also named amongst the substitutes for the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Newcastle United and Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur.

The 19-year-old shot-stopper kept seven clean sheets during 2024/25 and played a pivotal role as the young Bees enjoyed a successful campaign across all competitions.

“Julian is a very high potential young goalkeeper who improved as the season went on. He settled in so well after his move from America,” said MacFarlane.

“His infectious energy, character and willingness to improve his game saw him play a big part in our successes this season.

“Julian should be very proud of his season, making many big saves throughout, and he now has even more exciting times ahead with his well-deserved promotion to the first team.”

Watch interviews with the young duo below

Arthur: A great feeling

Benjamin Arthur reacted to the news that he has been promoted to Brentford's first team and provided some insight on what he is like as a centre-back.

“It’s a great feeling," said the young defender.

"A lot of faith has been put in me and I think I’ve come off the back of a good season, so I’m very happy.

“I’m quite solid and strong, but I’m also composed on the ball and like to play with the ball at my feet."

Looking ahead to the upcoming campaign, he added: “I want to make my debut. I’m just going to work hard and see what comes my way.”

Eyestone on first-team promotion and Kelleher

Goalkeeper Julian Eyestone reflected on his first year at Brentford, which saw him regularly train with the first-team goalkeepers, and looked ahead to the 2025/26 season when he will be a permanent member of Keith Andrews' squad.

“It was a big goal of mine coming into my first year in the B team to get that promotion so to get it is a big accomplishment and I’m very happy," said the USA Under-20 international.

“Being able to be that close with the first team as a B-team player was a big step for me and it made me feel a lot more comfortable. Now going into this year, I feel like I’ve been around these guys and I’m not a stranger.

“It’d be a dream to make my debut so I want to push for that, but also just getting better every day and working hard is my goal."

On training with Caoimhín Kelleher, who joined the club from Liverpool on a permanent deal in June, Eyestone continued: “I’m really excited. I think it’ll be great to have a new face in the goalkeeper set-up. It’s always fun getting to know new guys and it’ll be fun getting to compete with him."