Somali-British midfielder Maalik Hashi has signed a professional contract with Premier League (EPL) giants Arsenal to become the first East African player to join the third-most successful club in English football.
Malik’s signing represents an important milestone for Somali and East African representation in top English academies marking a significant landmark in the 17-year-old’s development.
He described the experience of being in and around Arsenal’s first team squad as “mesmerising,” singling out Declan Rice as a player he’s particularly inspired by.
“Just being around the first team, just looking up to them and taking notes of how they work on themselves day in, day out and just seeing how they work is really inspirational.
“(Declan’s) attitude, every time he comes in, he’s always smiling, ready to train, ready to put the work in.
“I think he’s a big inspiration for a lot of other young players as well,” commented Maalik.
Joined by his family at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, the midfielder explained what signing the first senior contract of his career meant to him.
“I’m really excited, it’s a proud moment for me and my family,” Maalik said, “It’s not only me on this journey.
“It’s my family with me as well and helping me every day to get better. I started probably in the garden with my dad, just doing kick ups and then found my way at Arsenal.
“Then from there, got the two years to under-16s, then got my scholarship and now we’re here.”
The creative midfielder joined Arsenal in December 2022, and having worked his way up to under-18s level, penned his first professional deal as a Gunner.
Maalik has already experienced success as a Gunner, being part of the team that won the U16s Premier League Cup last season.
Born in England to Somali parents, the midfielder has enjoyed a breakthrough season. Primarily operating in central midfield, Hashi plays what coaches often describe as a “destroyer” role, responsible for breaking up opposition attacks, linking defense and midfield, dictating tempo and initiating forward transitions.
This season has represented a clear step forward in his development. Maalik has made 19 appearances across Arsenal’s academy sides, featuring predominantly for the Under-18s. He has also appeared twice for the Under-19s in the UEFA Youth League and once for the Under-21s in Premier League 2.
Having made just seven combined appearances for the U18s and U21s prior to this campaign, the current season marks a breakthrough year for the young midfielder, with his first professional contract underlining the progress he has made.
The first African player to play for Arsenal was Daniel “Dan” Le Roux, a South African winger who joined the club in 1957. He played five games for Arsenal during the 1957-58 season.
