Norwich City have completed the signing of a talented Arsenal prospect

Josh Martin has moved from London to Norfolk after impressing on trial at the Carrow Road outfit.

The Championship leader’s academy tweeted that the 17-year-old have joined the club.

Martin impressed during a couple of matches for the U18s against Fulham and Brighton and Hove Albion.

His move to Norwich ends a nine-year association with the Gunners having been on their books since the age of eight.

Opportunities to progress to the first team were limited as a first-year scholar at the Emirates this term.

And he has therefore taken the chance to move to the would-be Premier League side if they are able to navigate the rest of the season at the top of the table.

Upon his arrival, Martin spoke to the club’s official website.

He discussed his reasons for leaving Arsenal in favour of a Championship move.

He said: “I came here because they are giving young players opportunities, and they are a team on the up so I think that’s the best opportunity you can get.

“I’m really happy; it’s a very big opportunity for me.

“I’m delighted to be here, and it’s the best move I could have had. I had been at Arsenal since I was eight, so since I was very young.”

The verdict

This is a brave, bold move by Martin – who could have lapped it up in the Arsenal academy and had copious loans away from the club before eventually being sold.

His pro-active approach to his career should be commended as he looks to move somewhere with better chances of breaking into the first team.

And Norwich is the perfect place after the influx of academy products to their first team this season.

With that kind of attitude, Martin is sure to go far in the game - and the Canaries will be the beneficiaries.