Arsenal have secured the signing of highly promising Dungannon Swifts defender Daniel McCarron, with the club confirming an agreement ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 16-year-old has put pen to paper on a pre-contract agreement and will officially join the north London side in July, signing professional terms and linking up with Arsenal’s academy setup. McCarron’s move follows a successful trial period, with the Gunners monitoring his progress closely for over a year, reporting Alldaysport.

Rather than strengthening the senior squad during the January window, Mikel Arteta’s side continued their strategy of targeting elite young prospects from across the globe. Arsenal have made a habit of investing in future talent, hoping to nurture academy signings into first-team regulars over time.

McCarron has already represented Northern Ireland at youth level and has gained valuable experience at Dungannon Swifts, even earning places on the first-team bench this season. His potential has been widely praised, with Dungannon manager Rodney McAree previously describing him as a “fantastic talent.”

Arsenal’s long-term interest was evident when McCarron was selected to represent the club’s U17 side at the Flamengo Adidas Cup in Rio de Janeiro last year. After extensive scouting and multiple assessments, the club are confident they have secured one of Northern Ireland’s most exciting young prospects./ALLDAYSPORT/