Arsenal and England Under-19 winger Chris Willock joins Benfica on five-year deal

Benfica have completed the signing of England Under-19 international forward Chris Willock.

The Primeira Liga giants, who finished top of the Portuguese top-flight last season, six points clear of runners-up FC Porto, have landed the Arsenal winger on a five-year contract.

The 19-year-old, who has appeared 10 times for the England Under-19 side, made just two first-team appearances for the Premier League outfit after making his debut against Nottingham Forest last September in the EFL Cup.

Chris Willock é reforço do SL Benfica. Bem-vindo! Sabe mais em: https://t.co/SOhBqoxax0. #EPluribusUnum pic.twitter.com/Mg2Q1IuerN

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) June 30, 2017

Willock, who joined The Gunners when he was just five-years-old, leaves the Emirates Stadium without a single English top-flight appearance to his name, despite Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger holding him in high regard.

Benfica’s new addition, Willock, told the club’s official website, “I hope I can show what I can do on the pitch.

“I think we have a great team and we can achieve great things in the future.”

The former Gunner has two brothers, who are also footballers. Matty, who is rising up the ranks at Manchester United, and Joe, who remains at Arsenal.

Willock’s departure is Arsenal’s third piece of business this summer transfer window, after bringing in defender Sead Kolasinac from Schalke on a free transfer, whilst sending out Takuma Asano on loan to Stuttgart.