Arsenal have finalised the signing of 16-year-old West Brom Youngster, according to Goal Gazette.
The left defender, who is half Brazilian, played two years above his age group for West Brom Under-18s last season and has been tipped as a future star by some at London Colney.
Sousa, who turns 17 later this month, has already begun training with his new colleagues.
Sousa, according to West Brom’s official website, is a dynamic left defender who has piqued the interest of numerous Premier League clubs owing to his great dribbling skills and close control.
The child was invited up for an England training camp in March 2020 and has since represented the Young Lions at the under-15 and under-16 levels.
In addition to playing for West Brom at a younger age, the left defender began a Premier League 2 match against Newcastle in February 2021.
“Lino’s an athletic full-back who reads the game well and has a great left foot. It’s rare often a 16-year-old plays a complete season with the 18s, but that’s credit to him since he has so much promise,” West Brom under-18s coach Peter Gilbert said.
Per Mertesacker, Arsenal’s academy manager, has identified the left back position as one area where the Gunners need to improve at the academy level.
Meanwhile, Arsenal has made many young players available on loan in January.
Tim Akinola, Zac Swanson, James Olayinka, and Ryan Alebiosu are among the players ready to go to the next stage of their development, with Folarin Balogun completing his loan transfer to Middlesbrough on Monday afternoon.