Omar Rekik has completed his first training session as an Arsenal player.
football.london reported back in November that the Gunners were looking to secure a deal for the central defender, and the transfer was made official on Thursday.
Arsenal confirmed in a statement that Rekik will be joining up with Steve Bould's under-23 side as part of a new aggressive policy towards youth recruitment led by academy manager Per Mertesacker that saw Nikolaj Moller, Tim Akinola, Joel Ideho, George Lewis and Jonathan Dinzeyi join last summer.
"Omar Rekik has signed a professional contract with us and joins our under-23s squad," a statement reads. "The 19-year-old has joined us from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin.
"Omar is a ball playing centre half who can play on both sides.
"Omar was born in the Netherlands and he has played internationally at youth level for Tunisia and the Netherlands. Throughout his youth career he also spent time at Feyenoord, Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven, and Marseille.
"Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Omar to the club and we look forward to supporting his ongoing development."
Whilst it may be a while before Rekik gets a chance in the Arsenal first-team, he's already been getting to know some of the club's most promising youngsters.
As seen in the images below, the teenager took part in a training session at London Colney this week where he was put through his paces alongside the likes of Folarin Balogun, Miguel Azeez, and the aforementioned Moller.
Balogun's presence in the U23's training session may come as a surprise to some given he's been involved in many first-team session over the past couple of months.
But amid contract discussions, the striker - whose deal expires in the summer - was never officially promoted so it's likely a case of normal service resuming.
Meanwhile, Rekik has outlined his plans between now and the end of the season.
"I just take things day by day. I’m here now and I have to work harder and show them what I can do and what I’m capable of," he said.
"When I do this, my qualities will show on the pitch and then hopefully I can get a chance."
