Arsenal have agreed terms with 16-year-old Real Madrid midfielder Jose Rodriguez, who spent two days visiting the club and was presented with a substantial financial package.

The Spanish starlet was watched closely by Arsenal’s Spanish scout Francis Cagigao for several months and has signed a five-year deal, with the presumption that he will make his first-team debut within two years. We were free to approach him, as players can’t sign professional contracts with Spanish clubs until they are 17, and have given Real a small compensation package.

Rodriguez has attracted much attention from Europe’s top scouts following his performances in the Under-17 World Club Championship; He was voted player of the tournament despite Real failing to reach the final. I am sure that he will become a fantastic midfielder within the next few seasons.

The interesting thing is that the player himself aspires to be a mixture of Mesut Ozil and Xabi Alonso – two world-class players with very different playing styles. Rodriguez is a typical Spanish midfielder – technically brilliant with good movement on and off the ball – and will fit very well into the Arsenal system alongside many other fantastic young players.

Rodriguez and his family reportedly spoke with Cesc Fabregas before accepting the deal, and were suitably convinced that a move to London represents a fantastic opportunity not to be missed. Arsène Wenger is the perfect manager under which young, talented player can truly develop to their full potential. The deal see’s him join our other new Spanish recruits (Jon Miquel Toral and Hector Bellerin) who joined from Barcelona’s academy in the summer.