Arsenal Sign Prolific Young Forward Mylo Bernard
Arsenal have landed one of Crystal Palace’s most prolific young forwards, with 16-year-old striker Mylo Bernard completing a move to the Gunners’ academy.
The club confirmed Bernard has joined as part of the 2026/27 scholarship intake, with a professional contract already agreed and set to kick in when he turns 17.
A ruthless finisher from Palace
Arsenal’s statement underlined exactly why they moved for him. Bernard hit more than 40 goals for Palace’s academy last season, a staggering return at any level. Six of those came while he was playing above his age group in the U18 Premier League, a clear sign he had outgrown his surroundings in south London.
He has already carried that form onto the international stage. For England U16s, Bernard has scored four times and provided two assists in eight appearances, numbers that back up the reputation of a penalty-box predator with a sharp eye for goal.
For Arsenal, this is another targeted strike in a busy summer of academy recruitment.
A wider rebuild in the academy
Bernard is one of several teenagers brought in as the club 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)
It is a clear pattern: Arsenal are casting the net wide, pulling in talent from across England and beyond, and locking down the next wave early.
Tribunal battle looming over Liverpool prospect
The work is not done yet. Arsenal are also closing in on the signing of Vincent Joseph from Liverpool, another highly rated youngster whose contract expired this summer.
Like Bernard, Joseph cannot move as a free agent because of his age. That means compensation must be agreed between the clubs. Arsenal have already settled a fee with Palace for Bernard, but talks with Liverpool have hit an impasse and the Joseph deal is now heading for a tribunal.
Bernard, though, is in the door, goals on his record and a professional deal already waiting for him. The question now is simple: how quickly can he turn that academy dominance into a genuine push towards the first team?
