Hotshot son of Arsenal legend signs professional contract with European giant and Gunners’ rival

Arsenal legend Jose Antonio Reyes will see his footballing dynasty continue with his son, who has just put pen to paper on his first professional contract with Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Reyes made 110 appearances for the Gunners between 2004 and 2007, winning the Premier League and FA Cup while in North London. The winger tragically passed away after a car crash in 2019 at the age of 35.

The star's son joined the Real Madrid academy at the age of 11, having previously been learning the game at Leganes, and now gets the professional call-up after an impressive series of performances for the Juvenil B side. Reyes Junior wrote on social media: "It's a very special moment for me. I have signed my first professional contract with Real Madrid and I want to thank the club for their trust and my family for their daily support! I will keep working and pushing my hardest to go very far!"

The rising star is already part of Spain's youth teams and will now represent the La Liga club where his father enjoyed a brief loan spell from Arsenal in 2006.

After his father's tragic passing four years ago, the 16-year-old penned a tribute online as his own football career was beginning. He wrote: "This is the last moment we spent together dad. That day you gave me advice as always, but today you have gone and are not coming back and it is a very difficult day for me.

"I was and always will be very proud of you daddy. We didn't spend all the time we would have liked to together but only you and I know how much we loved each other. I know you will look after me from Heaven and I am never going to forget you. I love you dad."

Following the death of Reyes in 2019, Arsenal released a statement which read: “Everyone at Arsenal is devastated by the shocking news that our former player Jose Antonio Reyes has died in a traffic collision in Spain. Our thoughts are with all his family, friends and team-mates.

“Jose, who was part of the Invincibles team, was a hugely popular figure at our club and will always hold a special place in our hearts. He represented the club on 110 occasions, scoring 23 times and made memorable contributions to our 49-game unbeaten run. Rest in peace, Jose.”

Given their involvement in the Champions League, Real Madrid are rivals to Arsenal and Reyes Junior could line up against the Gunners in the near future. The Galacticos sit top of Group C and could meet Arsenal in the knockouts should Mikel Arteta's side make it out of Group B.