Shamrock Rovers F.C. confirms that an agreement has been reached with Arsenal F.C. for the transfer of Victor Ozhianvuna in January 2027.

This is a landmark transfer in Irish football and a template for the development of top young football talent in the country.

The club is delighted that Victor will remain with Shamrock Rovers until the age of 18 and then make the move to north London in January 2027.

Victor (16) has been with Shamrock Rovers since the age of 6. He has grown up within the club’s Academy and this transfer is a tremendous reflection on the player and all the coaches who have assisted his development.

Establishing SRFC Academy was a pioneering move made by the club’s Board following learnings made post the UEFA Europa League Group Stage qualification in 2011. The facility at Roadstone Group Sports Club in Dublin 22 was identified as the ideal location being just 5km from Tallaght Stadium. Identification of the site and working in partnership with Roadstone, the facility was turned into Ireland’s first professional football Academy facility. It is now home to all of our teams from development years to the first team.

All of this would not be possible without the commitment, talent and dedication of the many coaches who has passed through the Academy and those who are currently on its staff.

The club continues to invest in young talent and the facility in Roadstone and is delighted that Victor has made such progress with determination, talent and hard work.

Victor Ozhianvuna profile:

Victor Ozhianvuna, born 10 January 2009, began his playing days with Firhouse United but it was at Shamrock Rovers that he excelled having joined the Hoops at the age of six.

Playing on the 2009 born team with a host of very talented young players, Victor stood out playing up front and all across the middle of the park. He was on the team that pulled off a remarkable SFAI Cup double success in 2022 in both the Under 13 and Under 14 competitions in the same season. The team was managed by Graham Barrett.

Victor has always displayed an array of gifted talents on the pitch and has stood out over the years. He played his first international game for the Republic of Ireland at Under 15 level in November 2023 against Greece in a tournament in Serbia. Victor has a total of 14 appearances for Ireland to date.

Victor turned 16 in January of this year and made his debut for the Hoops’ first team against Bohemians in the opening league game of the season at Aviva Stadium. He has featured with the first team on a regular basis since. Victor also made his European competition debut when he was introduced as a substitute in the home leg of the UEFA Conference League Play-off game against Molde.