Blackpool have completed the signing of Charlie Patino on a season-long loan from Arsenal.
The 18-year-old is regarded as one of the brightest talents in the Gunners' Hale End academy and broke into Mikel Arteta's first team during the 2021-22 season.
Patino scored his first senior goal for Arsenal on his debut in a 5-1 EFL Cup win over Sunderland and also started in a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup.
However, the England Under-19 international was not involved in Arsenal's pre-season tour of the USA, leading to speculation over a loan move for the 2022-23 campaign.
Arsenal have now confirmed that Patino will continue his development on loan with the Championship club, and the teenager is "buzzing" to play in front of the Tangerine Army.
Blackpool complete signing of Charlie Patino on loan from @Arsenal https://t.co/6u3dL0x3tf pic.twitter.com/KhTVWQchX8
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) August 3, 2022
"This is a great opportunity for me, and I think I'm ready to take this on. It's the next step of my career and I'm really excited to get going," Patino told blackpoolfc.co.uk.
"I spoke to Danny Ballard and Dujon Sterling before coming to the club and they were full of praise and said it's an amazing place to be where everybody is welcome.
"They also mentioned the fans, the Tangerine Army, who are always on their feet at home and away games. I'm just buzzing to play in front of them and show them what I'm about."
Blackpool head coach Michael Appleton oversaw the development of Brooke Norton-Cuffy at Lincoln City last year and is excited to work with "one of the best midfielders of his age group".
"Charlie is a very talented boy and I'm delighted that Arsenal have trusted us to look after him and further his development," Appleton added.
© Reuters
"The club has a good relationship with Arsenal from previous loan deals, as I have personally from taking players to my former clubs, with Brooke Norton-Cuffy being the most recent last season. Charlie is one of the best midfielders in his age group and I can't wait to start working with him."
Patino registered one goal and one assist in 15 Premier League 2 showings for Arsenal's Under-23s last season and follows a plethora of other youngsters out on loan from the Emirates Stadium.
Earlier on Wednesday, Arsenal confirmed that striker Folarin Balogun had joined Ligue 1 club Reims on a season-long loan, while Marcelo Flores, Mika Biereth and Omar Rekik have also secured temporary moves elsewhere.
Patino could make his debut for Blackpool in Saturday's Championship clash with Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium.
Ben Knapton
