Arsenal's Mauro Bandeira joins Colchester United on loan

Colchester United have signed Arsenal academy product Mauro Bandeira on loan for the 2023-24 season.

The 19-year-old - who can play in a wide variety of midfield positions - left the Queens Park Rangers youth setup in the summer of 2016 to join the Gunners and has risen through the age groups ever since.

After a productive campaign at Under-18 level in 2021-22, Bandeira made the step-up to the Under-21s last term after signing his first professional deal and contributed three goals and one assist from 20 Premier League 2 matches.

The Portuguese youngster also made the bench for the Gunners in the Europa League and Premier League on three occasions last term, while he also played the first half of a recent friendly against Watford at London Colney.

However, Bandeira is yet to make his senior competitive debut for Arsenal and was left out of their USA tour squad as he finalised his season-long move to League Two outfit Colchester, where he will gain valuable first-team experience.

Bandeira follows Catalin Cirjan out of the door on loan this summer, while fellow Under-21s players Matt Smith, Mazeed Ogungbo and Nikolaj Moller have departed the Emirates permanently during the current window.