Zacariah "Zac" Shuaib, a talented 18 year old central midfielder eligible for Nigeria, England, Spain and India, is reportedly close to agreeing a move to Real Sociedad after being released by Arsenal this summer. Shuaib spent three years with the Gunners’ academy, turning professional in 2023, but failed to receive a contract extension and entered his final scholarship months without a pro deal offer.

This spring, he trialled with Brighton’s Under-18s and featured in an MIC Football tournament for Real Sociedad’s youth side in Girona, as the Spanish club assess whether to bring him into their academy. Standing at Scotland 1, Zac is admired for his composure, passing range and football intelligence, drawing early comparisons to Sergio Busquets.

Born in London in March 2007 to a Nigerian father and a Spanish-Indian mother, Zac progressed through clubs like Chiswick Youth, Tottenham academy and finally Arsenal’s Hale End academy before earning a scholarship in 2023. Despite battles with injury, he made seven appearances for Arsenal’s Under-18s last season before trial opportunities emerged elsewhere.

A move to Real Sociedad could mark a fresh start for Zac and perhaps provide clarity on his international allegiances. He’ll resume his development in Spain’s renowned academy system, aiming to step up to senior football in La Liga.

Editorial

We’re genuinely optimistic about Zac Shuaib’s possible switch to Real Sociedad. It’s a move grounded in logic and potential leaving Arsenal without a pro contract might have been tough, but it's clear he has enough talent to earn a new opportunity in Spain’s top-tier youth system.

Shuaib’s multicultural background and multilingual upbringing offer a unique edge, enabling him to adapt seamlessly both on and off the pitch. He’s already demonstrated maturity handling injury setbacks, trials in England, and now a possible new beginning in a competitive Spanish environment.

Our view is that this decision could define his early career. At Sociedad, he’ll be nurtured within a club celebrated for developing midfielders with intelligence and technical fluency. If he thrives in their U18 setup, La Liga could soon beckon.

We expect fans of Nigerian football to follow Zac’s journey keenly his rise may inspire a wave of talent ready to combine identity, adaptability and ambition on football’s broader stage.

Did You Know?

1. Shuaib spent his early years in West London, training at Chiswick Youth, then joining Tottenham’s academy before settling at Arsenal in 2022.
   


2. He signed a two-year scholarship with Arsenal in 2023, amid interest from clubs like Tottenham, Fulham, Norwich and Leyton Orient.
   


3. At 1.90 m, he combines physical presence with a refined passing range an unusual mix for his age.
   


4. He missed four months of the 2024–25 season due to injury before trials at Brighton and Real Sociedad.
   


5. Should he join Sociedad, he would enter one of Spain’s most successful youth systems—recently producing midfield talents like Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi.