LONDON, Jan 20: Theo Walcott, the hottest young prospect in English football, has opted to sign for Arsenal in a deal that could eventually cost the Gunners 12 million pounds.

Walcott is so young that he will not even be able to sign a professional contract for his new club until he turns 17 on March 16.

In the meantime he will be employed as a “scholar” at Highbury after Arsenal paid an initial five million pounds to his current club, Southampton.

Chelsea had been prepared to match or beat Arsenal’s offer. But Arsenal were always favourites in this particular battle because Walcott believes his development will be best served by playing under Arsene Wenger and alongside Thierry Henry, a player he idolises and to whom he has been compared.

Walcott said: “I am so pleased to be joining Arsenal, a club I have admired for a long time. Coming to Arsenal will give me the opportunity to work with world-class players every day and play football at the highest possible level.

“It is a strange day because I am also very sad to be moving from Southampton. I am leaving many friends and some great coaches who have been so important to my career so far, but I leave with many great memories from the club.”—AFP