Arsenal Signs Prolific Young Forward Mylo Bernard

Arsenal have secured one of the most prolific young forwards in the country, with Crystal Palace striker Mylo Bernard completing a move to the Gunners’ academy on a scholarship deal that already has professional terms locked in.

The 16-year-old joins as part of Arsenal’s 2026/27 scholarship intake, with the club confirming a pre-contract agreement for a pro deal that will activate when he turns 17.

A ruthless finisher arrives

Arsenal’s announcement underlined why they pushed hard for Bernard. He hit more than 40 goals for Crystal Palace’s academy last season, a haul that included six strikes in the U18 Premier League while playing above his age group.

That output has not gone unnoticed at international level either. Bernard is already an England youth international, with four goals and two assists from eight appearances for the England U16s. For a 16-year-old, those are serious numbers.

A busy summer for the academy

Bernard is one of several new faces arriving as Arsenal continue to aggressively reshape their youth ranks.

• Daniel McCarron (Dungannon Swifts)
• Elijah Upson (Tottenham Hotspur)
• Phoenix Blayney (Larne FC)
• Igor Tyjon (Blackburn Rovers)
• James Scanlon (Manchester United)
• Axel Donczew (Cardiff City)
• Habeeb Ogunneye (Manchester United)
• Andria Bartishvili (Kolkheti 1913)

have all either completed moves or signed agreements that will kick in for 2027.

It is a clear statement: Arsenal want depth, competition, and quality all the way through their academy age groups.

Compensation and the next battle

Because of Bernard’s age, this was never a simple free transfer. His contract at Palace had expired, but Arsenal still had to strike a compensation agreement with the south London club to get the deal done.

They now face a similar situation with another target.

Arsenal are believed to be closing in on the signing of Vincent Joseph from Liverpool, another highly rated youngster whose deal ran out this summer. As with Bernard, Joseph cannot move as a free agent due to his age, and Liverpool and Arsenal have not been able to agree a compensation fee.

That dispute is heading to a tribunal.

Bernard, though, is already in the door. A 40-goal season behind him, a professional contract ahead of him, and an Arsenal pathway laid out. The question now is simple: how quickly can he turn that promise into noise around the first-team picture?