Arsenal have confirmed they have allowed their midfielder Dan Crowley to join Oxford United on a season-long loan on July 1, Friday.
The teenager joined the north London club’s academy from Aston Villa and has been a regular inclusion in the Gunners’ Under21 side. In 2015, he was sent on loan to Barnsley last summer, but was later recalled in October.
A statement on Arsenal’s official website read, “Dan Crowley will join League One side Oxford United on loan for the 2016/17 season. The 18-year-old midfielder gained experience in the division last term with Barnsley, where he made 13 appearances during a three-month loan spell.
“A regular with Arsenal’s under-21 side over the past two seasons, he has also represented the club in Europe in the UEFA Youth League, and captained the Gunners’ FA Youth Cup side. Last year, Dan went on the pre-season tour to Singapore with the first team and appeared in the win over Singapore Select XI.
“Everyone at Arsenal wishes Dan the best of luck as he looks to gain further first-team experience.”
On joining the League Two side, Oxford manager Michael Appleton remains confident that Crowley will shine for Oxford. In addition to this, he has backed the midfielder to have a bright future ahead of him.
“He is a really talented player, very creative and good on the ball. He sees a pass and an opportunity very quickly and can play just behind the striker, in midfield or coming in off the flanks so he offers us plenty of options,” Appleton told Oxford’s official website.
“He has a fantastic future ahead of him and it’s great that Oxford is starting to build a reputation as a club where we can work with young players like Dan, nurture them and play a role in their development. At the same time we will only do so if we believe it benefits and strengthens the squad here and I think he definitely fits that bill.”
Crowley has expressed his delight after completing his loan move to Oxford.
“I’m glad to have the opportunity here. It’s obviously a club that is going places and did really well last season so I’m looking forward to settling in, working hard in pre-season and being part of a successful side again this time around,” Crowley explained.
