ARSENAL have announced the signing of Georgian wonderkid Andria Bartishvili as they continue their aggressive academy recruitment drive.
Bartishvili, 17, has penned a pre-contract agreement with the Gunners that will see him officially join the club in July.
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The teenager has been dubbed the “next Kvaratskhelia” due to early comparisons with his compatriot at Paris Saint-Germain.
Bartishvili can operate as either an attacking midfielder or a winger and has remarkably quick feet.
He is currently on loan at Iberia 1999 in the Georgian top flight, playing a division above his parent club Kolkheti 1913.
The loan move has been a success, with Bartishvili netting his first professional goal last May against Gagra.
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His performances have caught the attention of plenty of clubs across Europe, including Juventus and Liverpool, but Arsenal have ultimately secured his services for the future.
In addition to impressing for his club, Bartishvili has represented Georgia at Under-16, U17, U19 and U21 levels.
He becomes the latest rising star to join the Hale End ranks this summer as Arsenal have put a huge focus on youth acquisition.
The Gunners announced the arrival of 40-goal prospect Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace earlier this week.
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Meanwhile they lured Manchester United duo James Scanlon and Habeeb Ogunneye away from Old Trafford earlier this month.
That followed the signing of Elijah Upson – son of former West Ham and Arsenal ace Matthew – from North London rivals Tottenham earlier in the window.
Igor Tyjon has joined from Backburn Rovers, Axel Donczew has arrived from Cardiff City and Phoenix Blayney has signed from Northern Irish club Larne.
There will be other new faces arriving in the coming months, too.
Pre-contract agreements were made last season for highly-rated Ecuadorian twins Edwin and Holger Quintero to join when they turn 18 next August.
And Irish starlet Victor Ozhianvuna will join from Shamrock Rovers on his 18th birthday in Janurary.