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Arsenal youngster Chris Willock signs permanently for Benfica

LENS, FRANCE - JULY 22: of Arsenal during a pre season friendly between RC Lens and Arsenal at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on July 22, 2016 in Lens.
Image: Chris Willock was part of Arsenal's first-team training in pre-season last year

Arsenal youngster Chris Willock has joined Benfica on a permanent transfer.

The 19-year-old, who never made a Premier League appearance for the Gunners, has signed a five-year contract with the Portuguese champions.

Willock - an England U19 international - had shone for Arsenal's youth team in Premier League 2 and made two appearances as a sub in the EFL Cup last season against Nottingham Forest and Reading.

Arsene Wenger smiles during a training session at London Colney on September 27, 2016
Image: Arsene Wenger once tipped Chris Willock for big things

He told his new club's website: "I hope I can show what I can do on the pitch. I think we have a great team and we can achieve great things in the future."

Willock joined the Gunners' academy at the age of five and appeared for the Arsenal first team in a pre-season friendly in 2014 at just 16 years old.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger tipped him to be a breakthrough star that summer, stating: "Technically and tactically he integrated very well [with the big boys].

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"Of course it's natural that he lacks a bit of power at that age but when he gets that he will be a very interesting player."

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