Premier League club Arsenal have announced that 17-year-old defender Marcell Washington has signed his first professional contract.

The teenager came from Chelsea's youth training and played 8 games during his trial for Arsenal's U21 team last season. With his stable performance, he won the opportunity to join the team officially.

It is worth mentioning that Marcel is the son of former England international and Champions League winner Ryan Bertrand. As a full-back who started in the 2012 Champions League final, Bertrand's experience undoubtedly set a high standard for his son, but Marcel said he hopes to go his own way.

After signing the contract, Marcel said in an interview: "My father would help me analyze the game clips and give me a lot of advice. He always said that he hopes I can become a stronger version of him. Although we occasionally argue about this, I know he is really doing it for my own good."

Despite his extraordinary background, Marcel does not think that signing the contract is the end of success: "Football is a process of proving yourself game by game. Signing the contract does not mean that I have succeeded. I still have a lot to do and fight for."

"From the first day I arrived here, I felt that this was a club where I belonged. Both the players and the coach welcomed me very much. This place is always fighting to win trophies, and I want to be part of the team."

As for the future, Marcel admitted that he is trying to learn from first-team players such as Urien Timber, Ben White and youth training representative Miles Lewis-Skelly, hoping to stand on the same stage one day.