Arsenal Sign Mylo Bernard from Crystal Palace on Scholarship Deal
Arsenal have moved decisively in the youth market again, securing highly rated Crystal Palace striker Mylo Bernard on a scholarship deal with professional terms already locked in.
The 16-year-old joins as part of the club’s 2026/27 scholarship intake, with Arsenal confirming that a pre-contract agreement for his first professional deal is in place and will activate when he turns 17.
It is a significant capture. Bernard arrives in north London on the back of a devastating season in front of goal for Palace’s academy, where he scored more than 40 times across the campaign. Six of those goals came while he was playing above his age group in the U18 Premier League, underlining why top clubs had taken notice.
Arsenal’s academy staff have been tracking end product, not just potential. Bernard brings both.
England youth international pedigree
Bernard is already on the England pathway, another marker of his rapid rise. For the England U16s, he has produced four goals and two assists in eight appearances, numbers that mirror his club form and hint at a forward who adapts quickly to higher levels.
At London Colney, he will not be alone as a fresh face. Bernard is one of several new recruits as Arsenal continue to aggressively refresh and deepen their academy ranks.
- Daniel McCarron (Dungannon Swifts)
- Elijah Upson (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Phoenix Blayney (Larne FC)
- Igor Tyjon (Blackburn Rovers)
- James Scanlon (Manchester United)
- Axel Donczew (Cardiff City)
- Habeeb Ogunneye (Manchester United)
- Andria Bartishvili (Kolkheti 1913)
have all either completed moves or agreed deals that will formally go through in 2027.
The pattern is clear: Arsenal are building a pipeline, not just filling gaps.
Compensation and the Liverpool parallel
Bernard’s contract at Crystal Palace had expired this summer, but his age meant he could not simply walk away as a free agent. Arsenal were required to agree a compensation package with Palace to secure his registration.
That theme is set to continue. Arsenal are believed to be closing in on the signing of Vincent Joseph from Liverpool, another young talent whose contract has run down but who still requires a compensation agreement due to his age.
Unlike the Bernard deal, that one is not yet over the line. Talks have not produced an agreement so far, and the Joseph transfer is now heading for a tribunal to settle the fee.
For Arsenal, it is a familiar battleground: investing early, paying for potential, and trusting that one of these young names – perhaps Mylo Bernard – will eventually light up the Emirates.
