Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to take on the number 17 shirt for the upcoming season, as announced on the club’s official website.
The previous wearer of the shirt, Cedric Soares, has departed the club, freeing up the number for Zinchenko.
In light of Cedric’s departure, Zinchenko requested the number 17 shirt and the club permitted him to make the change.
After it was confirmed that he would be wearing the number from next season, the Ukrainian star told Arsenal’s official website how attached he has been to the number, citing its significance from his early days as a player and his international career.
“The number 17 is a very special number to me. It was the number I wore as a young player, and I have always requested to wear 17 when playing for my country,” Zinchenko said.
“With 17 being free since Cedric left, I asked if I could change, and thanks to everyone at the club for supporting me.”
Meanwhile, Super Eagles of Nigeria striker, Victor Osimhen has stipulated two conditions for a potential move to Chelsea from Napoli this summer.
While Chelsea are keen on bringing the Nigerian striker in on a loan deal and offering Romelu Lukaku a permanent transfer to Napoli, Osimhen has expressed that he is not considering a loan with an option to buy and will not agree to a reduction in his salary for the move to Chelsea.
This is according to the comments transfer expert Fabrizio Romano made while speaking on his YouTube channel earlier today, August 6.
Note that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are also said to be interested in Osimhen despite his hefty release clause worth around £110 million.