LONDON, ENGLAND — Arsenal have announced a pre-contract agreement to sign highly-rated Georgian forward Andria Bartishvili from FC Kolkheti-1913 Poti, with the 17-year-old set to move to north London in July 2027 after turning 18.
The deal, confirmed by the club on Friday, continues Arsenal’s strategy of investing in highly rated young players from around the world. The Gunners are understood to have paid £4 million to secure the services of the teenager, who recently underwent a medical at Arsenal’s Sobha Realty Training Centre before returning to Iberia 1999, where he is currently on loan in the Georgian top flight.
Bartishvili, who can play as a winger or attacking midfielder, made his Erovnuli Liga debut for Kolkheti in 2025 and was named the division’s best Under-17 player at the end of the season. After moving to Iberia 1999 for the 2026 campaign, he scored his first professional goal by netting the winner in a 1-0 victory over Gagra in May.
The youngster has also progressed rapidly through Georgia’s youth teams. He made two appearances for the Under-16 side before moving to the Under-17s, where he scored on his debut against Slovenia. He has since progressed to the Under-18 and Under-21 teams, making two appearances for the latter. His performances have attracted comparisons with some of Georgia’s emerging football talents, and he was also involved in his club’s Champions League and Europa League qualifying matches last season.
Arsenal confirmed the agreement in a statement on their official website, saying: “We are delighted to announce we’ve reached a pre-contract agreement to sign Georgian forward Andria Bartishvili in July 2027.” The club added: “Everyone at Arsenal looks forward to Andria’s arrival next summer and wishes him luck for the rest of this season at Iberia 1999. The deal is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
The announcement comes just 10 days after the summer transfer window closed, underlining Arsenal’s long-term approach to squad building. The club has made a habit of securing young talent ahead of time, with the arrivals of players like Christos Tzolis and Piero Hincapié in recent windows reflecting a strategy that prioritises potential alongside proven quality.
Bartishvili’s development will be closely monitored by Arsenal’s recruitment team, who believe he has the attributes to develop into a first-team player at the Emirates Stadium. His versatility across the attacking line, combined with his technical ability and eye for goal, fits the profile of the kind of player Mikel Arteta values in his system.
The teenager will remain at Iberia 1999 for the remainder of the current season, where he will continue his development in the Georgian top flight. His performances will be tracked by Arsenal’s scouts and technical staff, who will assess his progress ahead of his planned arrival in July 2027.
For Arsenal, the deal represents another smart piece of long-term business, securing a promising talent at a relatively modest fee before his value potentially skyrockets. The club’s focus on youth development, combined with its recent success in the transfer market, has positioned the Gunners as one of the most forward-thinking clubs in European football.
