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Arsenal set to sign highly rated attacker Axel Donczew from Cardiff City

By on July 24, 2026

Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement to sign highly rated Welsh U19 international forward Axel Donczew from Cardiff City, as per The Athletic. 

Donczew is a product of the Cardiff academy. He became renowned for his scintillating attacking qualities while coming through the ranks at the club.

After impressing in the youth ranks, he was handed his debut by head coach Brian Barry-Murphy as a substitute in a 1–0 EFL Trophy loss to Newport County on 7 October 2025 to become the club’s youngest-ever debutant at 15 years and 234 days old.

The left winger is among a trio of Cardiff players to overtake former Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey in the pecking order for the youngest debut for the club over the past year alongside Rob Tankiewicz (16 years 03 months 25 days) and Paul Moreno (16 years 03 months 21 days)

Following his debut, he was around the first team and was handed another shout last December against AFC Wimbledon, where he featured for 23 minutes.

At the international level, he is a regular for Wales’ age-grade groups, where he has featured for the U15, U17, U18, and U19, accumulating 11 appearances in that run and netting two goals.

Now, according to The Athletic, Arsenal are set to finalise the permanent transfer of Donczew to the Emirates Stadium this summer.

Exciting prospect

The Gunners were previously heavily linked with Jeremy Monga, but their reluctance to meet Leicester City’s valuation saw Manchester City trump them to secure his signature.

Arsenal have now turned their attention to Donczew as another highly rated left winger, and he is now set to join the club after his move has been finalised.

Donczew is set to join an exciting list of prospects to move to the Emirates in recent seasons. The club have previously signed Evan Mooney, Jaden Dixon, and most recently Elijah Upson.

The club’s faith in the young players was evidenced last season, when Mikel Arteta handed first-team debuts to several Hale End Academy stars, including Marli Solomon, Andre Harriman Annous, Ife Ibrahim, Brando Bailey-Joseph, Marli Salmon, and Max Dowman, who became the Premier League’s youngest-ever debutant and scorer last season.

Having had a taste of senior football with Cardiff’s first team last season, Donczew will hope to make a strong impression in the youth ranks to earn a feature in the first team should a deal be officially formalised.