Arsenal have completed the signing of Demiane Agustien from Derby County. The 17-year-old midfielder signed a professional contract with the Gunners, the move being announced on Saturday afternoon.
Agustien spent the last two years at Derby as a scholar but turned down a professional contract from the East Midlands side. The Rams have said in a statement that an ‘undisclosed compensation package’ has been received for Agustien, who registered 16 goal contributions in the Under-18 Premier League last season.
He has since confirmed that, after speaking to Arsenal’s Head of Academy, Per Mertesacker, Arsenal is the right place for him to be. Discussing his move to the Emirates Stadium, the Dutch midfielder said: “I’m just very pleased, obviously playing for a big club. Can’t wait to get started and play for Arsenal.
“I think the way they’ve got the ex-pro footballers here as well, which is something big within the club. “Obviously, you’ve got the likes of Per [Mertesacker], which I’ve obviously spoken to as well, and I know his values.
“They’re very high and he wants to create a better player, but also a better person, which is a great statement as well.
“I’ll just look to make a statement on why I think I’m good enough to be playing for Arsenal and really prove myself and eventually, hopefully, I can make some appearances with the first team hopefully or to be on a bench as well and gain experience. “Would be amazing for this season.”
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Agustien is the son of former Premier League midfielder Kemy Agustien, who played against the Gunners in the 2011/12 season.
Explaining how his father’s experience has benefited his career so far, Agustien said: “My dad has played professional football as well before. He played for the likes of Swansea, Brighton, Crystal Palace, really good to be fair.
“He helps me a lot as well and so does my mum as well. So good combination to have.”
Agustien will hope to emulate Jurrien Timber, the Arsenal defender also from Curacao in the Caribbean.
“Obviously, I’ve known about him because he’s a Dutch player, but he’s also from Curaçao, a small Caribbean island, where I’m from and not many people from the Netherlands and from Curaçao live in the UK.
“So therefore, it’s nice to obviously see him, train with him as well and see the levels of what brought him here and what got him here.”
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