Brazilian Arsenal Starlet Set For Almeria Loan

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Agent hopes that the forward can break into the Gunners first team in the 2015-16 season.

Arsenal youngster Wellington Silva is poised to join Almeria on a season-long loan.

The 21-year-old signed for Arsenal in 2009, when the Gunners paid Fluminense a fee in the region of £3.5m for his services.

However, he has yet to play a competitive match for the North London club because of work permit issues.

Wellington has spent loan spells at Levante, Alcoyano, Ponferradina and Murcia.

He will now spend one more year in Spain, which he will see him gain Spanish citizenship, before returning to England next summer, when he hopes to launch a bid to get into Arsene Wenger’s first-team plans.

“A deal has been agreed between Arsenal and Almeria for Wellington Silva to go on loan for the season,” the player’s agent, Alex Soares, told Sky Sports.

“He had the choice to go to a number of teams in Spain, but Silva has decided to join Almeria.

“He will fly to Spain next week to complete the paperwork to join Almeria for next season.

“We are hopeful that, after this loan at Almeria, Silva will be able to return to play for Arsenal and they will monitor his progress in Spain next season.”

Almeria avoided relegation from La Liga by just one point last season.

Wellington generally plays as a second striker or a traditional winger.

He represented Brazil at Under-17 level 11 times between 2008 and 2009, scoring five goals.

Wellington’s current contract is due to expire in June 2015, but he is hopeful of earning a new deal.

If Wellington does finally make his Arsenal debut, he will become the seventh Brazilian to play for the Gunners in the Premier League, after Andre Santos, Sylvinho, Gilberto Silva, Edu, Denilson and Julio Baptista.

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