Arsenal beat off Premier League rivals to sign Hatters starlet Dawkins

Having sold brothers Rio, Cole and Jay Dasilva to Chelsea a month ago Dawkins has moved to the Gunners after protracted negotiations.

No less than 14 Premier League clubs and one club in the Scottish Premier League were after his signature but he opted to join the North London giants close to his home in Kilburn.

Dawkins had been playing in the Chiltern Youth League and the young midfielder had developed hugely during his three years with the Hatters.

Head of Youth Gregg Broughton told the club’s official website: “This deal has been a lot more drawn out than others completed by the club in the last two years, and this reflects the level of interest show in Tarum.

“Immediately after our loss in the play-offs last season we were told that Tarum felt his future lay away from Kenilworth Road, and now after nine months of negotiations, we are delighted that Tarum has found a club that he feels can help him fulfil his dream of playing at the highest level.

“He is very quick both with and without the football, can play off both feet and therefore he will fit in very well with Arsenal’s style of play.

“Playing on either wing he is capable of beating full-backs on both the inside and outside making him very difficult to play against.

“Tarum initially started in our Performance Centre at Crawley Green and, after impressing in this environment he was promoted to the Centre of Excellence as an U13.

“Last season he regularly played up a year in the U16s where he was regularly monitored by the England scouts and most of the Premier League clubs.

“Despite the club’s current non-league status, we continue to produce players with Premier League pedigree.

“Whilst we have now sold a number of elite players, it must be recognised that these youngsters have joined some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“We still retain a large number of excellent young footballers across all of the age groups, as is demonstrated by the six recent first team debuts.

“Luton Town is still recognised as one of the foremost breeding grounds for identifying and developing Premier League players in the country.

“We never like to lose talented players from the club, but after sitting down with Tarum and his family last month we recognised that he was desperate to join Arsenal, and as I have said before, if players are unsettled and wish to look elsewhere, and the deal is right for all parties, then it is the most sensible way to progress.

“We would like to thank Arsenal for the professional manner in which they have conducted themselves and wish Tarum the very best for his ongoing career.”