Sheffield Wednesday have signed Arsenal striker Benik Afobe on a loan deal until the end of the current campaign.
Afobe joins the Owls ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship home game against Barnsley, in which he is eligible to play. The young hitman has also been granted permission from the Gunners to feature for Wednesday in the FA Cup.
The 20-year-old arrives at Hillsborough with a glowing reputation having progressed through the Arsenal ranks as a prolific marksman.
Afobe debuted for the reserve side aged just 16 having posted 11 goals in 13 appearances for the Under-18s. He was also in the England squad that lifted the Under-17 European Championship in May 2010.
Previously, the hotshot scored 40 goals for the Gunners’ Under-16s in 2007/08 and then struck 21 times in 24 appearances for the Under-18s in 2009/10.
Keen to gain senior experience, Afobe joined Huddersfield Town on loan in late 2010, making his first appearance against the Owls at Hillsborough.
He went on to make 32 appearances for the Terriers, scoring eight goals with ten assists.
After a brief loan spell with Reading, Afobe moved north to Bolton on loan at the start of last term and fired a pre-season treble against Tranmere.
The Kent product made his first start for the Trotters at Crawley in the League Cup and duly opened his account. Afobe notched his first league goal against Wolves.
A temporary switch to Millwall followed but a knee injury that required surgery cut short his stay at The Den.
Afobe is now back to full fitness and set to go straight into the Wednesday squad hosting the Tykes this weekend.
He will wear shirt number 28 during his S6 stay.