Thursday February 26, 2026
Photo via Arsenal.com
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Mogadishu (AX) — Arsenal have confirmed Somali-British midfielder Maalik Hashi has signed his first professional contract with the club, marking a significant milestone for the 17-year-old and a landmark moment for representation within the Premier League side’s academy pathway.
Hashi, who progressed through Arsenal’s academy ranks, becomes the first player of Somali descent to come through the club’s youth system and sign professional terms with the north London team. The agreement caps a breakthrough campaign in which the midfielder has established himself as a reliable presence across multiple age groups.
Primarily a central midfielder, Hashi profiles as what academy coaches often call a “destroyer” — the fulcrum between defense and midfield who wins duels, interrupts opposition attacks, dictates tempo and initiates transitions. His emergence in that role this season has accelerated his progression through Arsenal’s youth structure.
Speaking at Arsenal’s training ground, Hashi framed the contract as a shared achievement with those closest to him.
“I’m really excited, it’s a proud moment for me and my family,” he said. “It’s not only me on this journey. It’s my family with me as well, helping me every day to get better. I probably started in the garden with my dad, just doing kick-ups, and then found my way to Arsenal.
“From there, I had the two years up to under-16s, then got my scholarship and now we’re here.”
In England, academy players become eligible to sign professional contracts at 17, typically on agreements of up to three years. While Arsenal do not publicly disclose contract lengths, such deals commonly run until the end of the current season plus two additional campaigns, indicating Hashi could be tied to the club through 2028.
This has been a clear step-forward year. Hashi has made 19 appearances across Arsenal’s academy sides, featuring predominantly for the Under-18s while also stepping into continental and development-league action.
- Two appearances for the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League
- One appearance for the Under-21s in Premier League 2
- Predominant minutes with the Under-18s
- Seven combined appearances for the U18s and U21s prior to this season
The steady climb — from the Under-18s to taste of U19 European competition and a debut at U21 level — reflects both performance and trust. For a midfielder tasked with screening space and managing transitions, exposure to older age groups can be a critical test of positioning, physicality and decision-making. Hashi’s minutes suggest he has met those challenges while broadening his tactical range.
Within Arsenal’s academy setup, the “destroyer” brief demands more than ball-winning. It requires awareness to compress passing lanes, discipline to hold structure and the composure to convert recoveries into controlled build-up. By linking the back line to midfield and setting the rhythm in possession, that role shapes the team’s balance. Hashi’s progression in those responsibilities this season has underpinned his elevation and, ultimately, his first professional deal.
For Arsenal, the signing also reinforces a core developmental principle: reward consistent progression with responsibility. Hashi entered this campaign with seven combined appearances across the U18 and U21 levels; he now closes it with three competition tiers under his belt and a contract that formalizes his path forward.
Beyond the performance markers, the moment carries representational weight. Hashi’s ascent makes him the first player of Somali descent to progress through Arsenal’s academy and earn professional terms — a milestone that broadens the club’s footprint and highlights the reach of its youth recruitment and development.
Arsenal did not release financial details or the duration of the contract, in line with club policy. For Hashi, the priorities ahead are straightforward: consolidate minutes, continue refining the defensive and distribution demands of his position, and build on a season that moved him from promise to projection.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
