Former Arsenal star’s son, aged 18, quits Tottenham to join Gunners in shock transfer to bitter North London rivals

ARSENAL have signed Tottenham prospect Elijah Upson after he turned down a new contract with the rival club, reports suggest. Elijah, 18, who is the son of former Gunners ace Matthew Upson, had been with Spurs’ academy throughout most of his youth career. Arsenal have signed Tottenham prospect Elijah Upson Credit: Getty Images – Getty Elijah joined Arsenal after turning down a new contract from Tottenham Credit: 2024 PA Media According to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the centre-back is now set to follow in his father’s footsteps and play for the club where Matthew, 47, amassed 56 appearances from 1997 until 2003.. The defender was offered a new contract by Tottenham after his most recent deal expired. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! However, Elijah opted for their North London rivals instead and thus signed a long-term deal at the Emirates. The England Under-18 international signed his Arsenal contract earlier today. This comes after The Mail reported the whole Upson family visited Arsenal’s training ground last week and held talks with the club before deciding to make the switch. Elijah is considered a very promising talent, so much so that he attracted interest from a raft of elite clubs. That includes the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Everton, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco. Elijah had been a regular starter for Tottenham’s academy for much of last season. Most read in Football WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS The versatile defender, who can also play at right-back, appeared in six of Spurs’ seven Uefa Youth League games. Elijah also started 13 of the North Londoners’ first 16 Under-18 Premier League games.. The new Arsenal prospect counts a total of 34 appearances with the U18s as well as six with the Under-19s and two with the Under-21s. Elijah is the son of former Arsenal ace Matthew Upson Credit: Getty Images – Getty Elijah is following in the footsteps of Matthew, who spent six years with Arsenal Credit: Reuters Comment now