Wednesday 20 January 2016 10:35, UK
Theo Walcott was hot property in January 2006.
He was only 16 but already a first-team player with Southampton. Goals against Leeds United, Millwall and Stoke City in the space of 11 days the previous October had sparked excitement at his potential.
Despite the best efforts of then-Southampton chairman Rupert Lowe, Arsenal snapped up the teenager for an initial £5m. A huge fee for a boy barely out of school who had made just 13 second-tier starts.
Ten years on, with Walcott an established Arsenal first-team player, an FA Cup winner and England international, we look back at what was said about the precocious talent at the time and how the player himself reacted to the move…
Theo Walcott
"I'm so pleased to be joining Arsenal, a club I have admired for a long time. Coming to Arsenal will give me the opportunity to work with world class players every day and play football at the highest possible level. It's a strange day, because I'm also very sad to be moving from Southampton. I'm now really looking forward to meeting my new team mates and working hard as an Arsenal player."
Arsene Wenger, Arsenal manager
"Theo Walcott is a very young player, but has already shown in his performances for Southampton that he is a talented player with huge potential. I also like the fact that he is a versatile player who is incredibly dedicated, shows great determination to succeed and is blessed with electric pace. We are delighted Theo has signed for the Club and will make a fantastic addition to our squad."
Rupert Lowe, then-Southampton chairman
"We are bitterly disappointed. The purpose of developing the best academy in the country is not to sell scholars to larger clubs. We have done everything to keep Theo at Southampton but his family and advisors are determined that he leave this club and go to Arsenal. I know every Saints fan will feel let down."
The kid can run through puddles and not make a splash. He's lightning. Wherever he goes I'm sure he's got a great future.
Harry Redknapp, former Southampton manager, who handed Walcott his debut
"The kid can run through puddles and not make a splash. He's lightning, he drifts over the ground and is a fantastic talent. Wherever he goes I'm sure he's got a great future."
Simon Clifford, former Southampton coach
It is a big challenge because Thierry Henry is probably one of the top three players in the world but it is possible for Theo to get to the level of Henry. I would also not be surprised if Theo broke into the England team in a year's time - he is very much the type of player who can rise to the occasion."
Tord Grip, assistant to then-England boss Sven Goran-Eriksson
"Technically, he is very good - and extremely fast as well. He has the ability to beat defenders with his skill, pace and balance."
Andy Colling, Walcott's former PE teacher
"I've never seen a boy as naturally talented in 19 years of teaching PE. He comes across as self-confident but in no way arrogant. He shied away from attention when he was playing for England U17s and we wanted to mention him in assembly. I could see him getting embarrassed."
Thierry Henry, then Arsenal captain
"People are saying there are similarities and it's good to hear what he said about me. I've also seen him play this year. I can't even remember what I was like as a player when I was that age so it's difficult to say. But he's a young player with a lot of desire and skills who obviously loves to play football."
