Arsenal defender Marc Bola has joined League One side Bristol Rovers on a year-long loan deal, it has been announced.
The Pirates confirmed the capture of the versatile 19-year-old on their official website as well as their official Twitter account:
TRANSFER: Rovers secure the signing of defender Marc Bola from @Arsenal on a season long loan. https://t.co/VSs6cIwVUI pic.twitter.com/mSYwf6LVMp
— Bristol Rovers (@Official_BRFC) July 14, 2017
Bola is a graduate of the Arsenal academy, having broken through their youth ranks and into the senior side, although his first-team experience amounts to two appearances as an unused substitute in the League Cup last season.
A left-back who can also operate at the heart of the defence, his first taste of first team football came during a loan spell at Notts County during the second half of last season.
He went on to make 13 appearances in League Two for the club, most of which came on the left hand of defence in the starting XI.
He will now move up a tier with Rovers, and could make his debut for the club in their friendly tie against Gloucester today (Saturday).
He will hope to prove that he has what it takes to make the grade at Arsenal, with just a year left on his contract.
His opportunities at the Emirates Stadium would have been limited during the upcoming campaign, with new arrival Sead Kolasinac offering yet more competition for the left-back slot, alongside Arsene Wenger’s first choice in the role Nacho Monreal.