Arsenal are to sign to sign young forward Mika Biereth after he turned down Fulham’s offer of professional terms, according to the Athletic.

The teenager, who starred as Steve Wigley’s under-18s successfully defended their Premier League south title last season, has rejected Fulham’s attempts to keep him at Craven Cottage and elected to join the Gunners. Biereth scored 21 goals in 21 league games for the under-18 side and his departure is seen as a significant blow as Fulham look to integrate more of their promising youngsters into the first team set up under new manager Marco Silva.

Biereth has long been highly rated at Motspur Park, making his under 18 debut at the age of just 15 as a substitute against Reading in February 2018. He scored 26 goals in 41 appearances for Fulham’s under 18s in four seasons with the club – and also played four times for the club’s under-23 side.