Chris Willock bids emotional farewell to Arsenal following Benfica move

By Daniel Lewis, Senior ReporterPublished: 02 July 2017 8:15 PM

Chris Willock confesses that leaving Arsenal for Portuguese giants Benfica after 14 years in North London was a tough decision to make.

Chris Willock has admitted that leaving Arsenal was a "huge decision" to make but is now looking forward to linking up with his new Benfica teammates.

The 19-year-old penned a five-year deal with the Portuguese giants on Saturday after turning down the Gunners' offer of a new contract.

Willock has spent his entire career to date in North London, joining the club's academy at the age of five in 2003 and moving on 14 years later, but he feels that the time is right to 'experience a new culture'.

Posting on his official Instagram account, he said: "Since the age of 5, all I've known is Arsenal. I've gone through the youth ranks, trained and learnt from the academy.

"I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Arsenal football club, staff, players, coaches, managers and the fans who have helped and influenced me to become the player I am today.

"This was a huge decision for me and my family to make. And not one we made lightly. I'm excited at the opportunity to play for Benfica. It's a new challenge, new culture and new group of players! Looking forward to showing them what I've got!"

Since the age of 5, all I've known is @arsenal. I've gone through the youth ranks, trained and learnt from the academy. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone at Arsenal football club, staff, players, coaches, managers and the fans who have helped and influenced me to become the player I am today. This was a huge decision for me and my family to make. And not one we made lightly. I'm excited at the opportunity to play for @slbenfica. It's a new challenge, new culture and new group of players! Looking forward to showing them what I've got! #Benfica #EPluribusUnum Desde os meus 5 anos que apenas conheci o @arsenal. Passei por todos os escalões jovens, treinei e aprendi muito na academia. Quero agradecer a toda as pessoas que fazem parte do Arsenal Football Club, todo o staff, preparadores físicos e treinadores que me ajudaram e me prepararam para ser o jogador que sou hoje. Esta foi uma decisão muito importante, tomada com muita seriedade em conjunto com a minha família. Estou muito excitado pela oportunidade de jogar pelo @slbenfica. É um novo desafio, uma nova cultura e um novo grupo de jogadores! Estou muito ansioso por lhes mostrar do que sou capaz! #Benfica #epluribusunum

A post shared by Chrissywillock (@chriswillock) on Jul 1, 2017 at 6:58am PDT

Celtic, Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City had all reportedly shown an interest in England Under-19s international Willock prior to Benfica swooping.