Fourteen years after leaving Arsenal’s academy in tears, Eberechi Eze has returned to the Emirates — not as a rejected teenager, but as a £60 million signing and one of the Premier League’s brightest stars.
At just 13 years old, Eze was released from Arsenal’s youth setup, a moment that almost ended his dream of becoming a professional footballer. Fast forward to 2025, and the same boyhood Arsenal fan is back in north London as a full England international, FA Cup hero, and one of the league’s most exciting attackers.
Reflecting on that journey, Eberechi Eze once said:
“I know so many people who got released from one club, got released from Arsenal, and that was it – they stopped playing. The fact I am in this position, I can only say ‘God, thank you’ because I could be anywhere doing anything.”
The 27-year-old midfielder arrives at Arsenal after a standout spell with Crystal Palace, where he became a fan favourite and famously scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final against Manchester City. Tottenham came close to signing him, but Arsenal swooped in late to bring Eze home. Now, he will join fellow Nigerian Bukayo Saka in Mikel Arteta’s side — a partnership Arsenal fans cannot wait to see.
Beyond the pitch, Eberechi Eze is also known for his love of chess, a game he credits with sharpening his patience, focus, and strategy — qualities that mirror his footballing style.
5 Things to Know About Eberechi Eze
1. He grew up playing cage football
Born in Greenwich, south London, Eze honed his skills in cage football — tight urban pitches that demand flair, control, and quick thinking.
2. He never gave up after rejection
Rejected by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, and Millwall, Eze nearly quit football to focus on college and part-time work at Tesco. His big break came when Queens Park Rangers gave him one last shot.
3. His breakthrough came at QPR
At QPR, Eze shone with 14 goals, 8 assists, and two Player of the Year awards in the 2019/20 season. That form earned him a £17m move to Crystal Palace, where he became one of the Premier League’s most stylish midfielders.
4. He’s already a Wembley hero
Eze’s winning strike in the FA Cup final against Manchester City delivered Crystal Palace’s first major trophy — a moment that cemented his status as a big-game player.
5. He gives back through the Eze Foundation
With his brothers, Eberechi Eze runs grassroots tournaments in south London, helping young players access football without financial barriers. “Giving back has always been something on our hearts,” he says.
From a rejected teenager to a £60 million Arsenal star, Eberechi Eze’s story is one of resilience, faith, and brilliance. Now, as he starts his new chapter in red and white, Arsenal fans will be hoping he writes even more history at the Emirates.
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