
New Manchester United signing Ayden Heaven (right) pictured with technical director Jason Wilcox (right) (Image: Manchester United)
Teenager Ayden Heaven has signed a long-term contract with Manchester United, marking the second time in less than a year that the Red Devils have raided Arsenal for an academy product.
After acquiring the adolescent, Manchester United has made it apparent where Arsenal made a mistake with Ayden Heaven.
The 18-year-old has committed to the Red Devils through June 2029, with a one-year extension option. It is anticipated that he will immediately join Ruben Amorim’s first team.
It is believed that the highly regarded central defender’s choice to leave United’s opponents was influenced by a clearer route to consistent first-team play. In his statement announcing the deal on Saturday, Red Devils technical director Jason Wilcox emphasised that.
“We are thrilled that Ayden has joined Manchester United,” Wilcox stated. He went on to point out the main distinction between Mikel Arteta and United’s plans for using Heaven: “He is already an extremely talented defender who is ready to join our first-team squad.”
During Arsenal’s preseason training last summer, Arteta had already complimented Heaven, a Hale End graduate who had been promoted to the first team. During the US tour, Heaven played versus United in the SoFi stadium, where Rasmus Hojlund scored due to his error.
“I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this [at his age],” Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, said after the game. It is possible for him to lose a duel against one of the world’s fastest and strongest players, Rasmus Hojlund.
However, his subsequent response, his poise, his quality, and his body language were all outstanding. I’m quite content with him.

Mikel Arteta missed a trick by not featuring Ayden Heaven more regularly in matches ( Image: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
After continuing to grow during the season, Heaven, who joined Arsenal in 2019 at the age of 13, made his debut in October as a substitute in an EFL Cup triumph at Preston. However, unlike fellow academy products Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly, whom Arteta trusted, he did not play in the Champions League or Premier League despite being named in many matchday teams.
Even yet, Arsenal’s defence was occasionally overworked this season due to injuries to players like Riccardo Calafiori, Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Heaven might have been persuaded to stay with just a few appearances, such as those given to Lewis-Skelly and Nwaneri.
He will now be collaborating with Chido Obi-Martin, who moved from the north London club to United last summer. With nine goals in as many games, Obi-Martin has caused a stir among the United youth ranks.
Heaven said on the official United website after completing his transfer to Manchester: “I am extremely proud to join Manchester United.” I want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this dream possible.
“I want to accomplish so much in the game, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep improving and become the best player I can be.”