Who is Victor Ozhianvuna? The Irish Wonderkid Signed by Arsenal

Who is Victor Ozhianvuna? The Irish Wonderkid Signed by Arsenal

For the second time in just a few months, the League of Ireland transfer record has been shattered by a Premier League club from North London.

Back in February, Tottenham Hotspur broke new ground when they paid a reported £1.6 million for St Patrick’s Athletic striker Mason Melia, the first time an Irish club had ever received a seven-figure fee for a player, let alone a teenager. Now, Spurs’ North London rivals Arsenal have gone one better, agreeing a deal worth around €2 million for Shamrock Rovers midfielder Victor Ozhianvuna. The fee could eventually double through add-ons.

Ozhianvuna, just 16 years old, cannot officially join a British club until his 18th birthday due to post-Brexit rules. Instead, he has signed a pre-contract with the Gunners and will remain at Tallaght Stadium in the meantime, much like Melia’s arrangement with St Pat’s.

Ozhianvuna On The Rise

The teenager’s rise has been rapid. He only made his league debut in February, a landmark occasion that saw him introduced before a record crowd of over 38,000 at the first ever League of Ireland fixture staged at the Aviva Stadium. That historic Dublin derby between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians showcased Ozhianvuna’s fearlessness as he impressed immediately off the bench.

Victor Ozhianvuna vs Wexford (18/07/2025)

90 minutes played pic.twitter.com/THGI8lifIS

— 🎯 (@bouananiball) July 22, 2025

It’s a reflection of the League of Ireland’s current upward curve. Attendances and TV audiences are breaking records, while clubs are enjoying unprecedented success in Europe. This week could even mark the first time two Irish clubs qualify for the Conference League group stages in the same season, with Shamrock Rovers leading Santa Clara 2-1 on aggregate and Shelbourne also in contention. Rovers will be eager to return to the league phase, having faced eventual winners Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.

Technically gifted, comfortable off either foot, and known for his ability to glide across the pitch, Ozhianvuna is the latest product of a Rovers academy that has already supplied talent such as Gavin Bazunu to the senior Irish international ranks. Though recent transfer speculation has seen him omitted from European squads, he has already made his mark at senior level, scoring a superb volley in a 4-0 FAI Cup win over Wexford, and featuring in continental competition against Molde last year.

Bradley Predicts Big Things for Young Star

Rovers boss Stephen Bradley, himself a former Arsenal academy player, believes the youngster’s versatility is a major asset:

“He can play anywhere. I’ve seen him as a six, a 10, and even up front. He’s a bit of a throwback in the way he plays without fear.”

For Arsenal, the move continues a long and storied connection with Irish football, most famously embodied by Liam Brady. The Gunners will be hopeful that in Ozhianvuna, they have secured the next great talent to emerge from the Emerald Isle.