Arsenal confirm transfer as Andrea Berta completes deal for forgotten Hale End wonderkid

The January transfer window may have slammed shut in England last month, but Andrea Berta has working hard to wrap up a couple more deals

Charles Sagoe Jr has joined Kalmar FF on loan from Arsenal. The 21-year-old winger, whom the Gunners signed from Fulham in July 2015, will stay at the Swedish outfit until January 2027.

An official statement from the club reads: “We wish Charles all the best for his loan spell with Kalmar FF, who are newly promoted into the Swedish top-flight, and look forward to seeing his continued development. The loan is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”

Sagoe Jr featured 14 times for the Arsenal Under-21s across the Premier League 2 and the Vertu Trophy, scoring five goals and providing seven assists. Mikel Arteta rewarded the Hale End prospect for his impressive performances with a place on the bench in the Gunners’ 3-0 away win over Slavia Praha in the UEFA Champions League.

Sagoe Jr managed to catch the Spaniard’s attention, but he was an unused substitute. The forward hasn’t featured for the first team since making his senior debut against Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup back in September 2023.

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Shortly after his solitary appearance for Arsenal, he joined Swansea City on loan. Sagoe Jr played no more than half an hour for the Championship outfit, coming off the bench in disappointing defeats to Plymouth Argyle and Leeds United.

At the end of the season, he joined Shrewsbury Town on loan. Sagoe Jr featured 18 times across all competitions, without scoring or assisting, before being recalled by Arsenal midway through the campaign.

The Hale End ace spent the next year or so in the academy again before securing a move to Kalmar. Earlier this year, Sagoe Jr told Goal that he has a point to prove after a shaky start to his senior career.

“I’ve had a very enjoyable campaign, affecting games with goals and assists and trying to help the team win as many games as possible,” the Arsenal youngster said. “In this day and age, wingers are judged on goals and assists.

“As much as it’s positive, beating my man, inevitably, it’s about end product behind that skill. So, obviously, when I’m getting goals and assists, it means I’m doing my job for the team, and if that’s helping us win games, that’s a positive for me to take on board.”

Sagoe Jr added: “I’m one of the older ones this year. It’s a different type of role that I’m having to face, obviously mentoring some of the younger ones and passing my advice on board, and I’ve really enjoyed that role.

“It’s a different character within me. Normally, I’m one of the quiet ones. So it’s a new type of role which I’m really taking on board, and I’m enjoying.”

On his previous loan spells, Sagoe Jr said: “I’ve had loan experiences out at Swansea and Shrewsbury, and they’re learning curves, really. It’s a challenging environment going outside your comfort zone when you’ve been at Arsenal for such a long time in your career.

“Going somewhere else is always challenging to adapt to the playing style that the team might be playing. But once you hit the ground running and you start getting appearances under your name, you’re just going to build confidence.

“It’s a really good opportunity going out on loan to men’s environments where every game matters. But [for now] I’m just going to keep my head down in training and keep working hard and applying myself.”

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