"?Arsenal are expected to soon complete the £40,000 signing of non-league defender Cohen Bramall in what is a true rags to riches story for a 20-year-old player who was, until recently being made redundant, spending his life away from football working full-time in a factory.
Somewhat similar to West Ham winger Michail Antonio's start in football, Bramall has never been at a professional academy, taking in spells so far at the likes of Kidsgrove Athletic, Nantwich Town and Market Drayton before arriving at Hednesford Town last year.
From Hednesford Town to Arsenal
It's a dream move for 20-year-old Cohen Bramallhttps://t.co/lB1bBl6JIA pic.twitter.com/QjMjpHgvJD
He's been playing in the Northern Premier League - Premier Division for the club this season. It is the seventh tier of the league pyramid and three levels below League Two, but Bramall impressed Arsenal scouts, as well as those from Crystal Palace and Sheffield Wednesday.
The Gunners moved quickest and Bramall has even been training with the first-team while the formalities of his transfer have been agreed. It's an incredible jump from the level he was at only a few short months ago when he was making cars for a living, Bentleys to be precise.
Congratulations and good luck to former Dabber Cohen Bramall on his move to Arsenal. Fantastic to see a local lad reaching the big leagues.
"It sounds crass to say this is a dream come true for Cohen but it clearly is," agent Dan Chapman told Football London this week.
It was on popular Saturday morning TV show 'Soccer AM' that he came to more prominent attention after a clip of a 'Rabona' assist during a game against Frickley Athletic was featured.
And it is one former Arsenal player in particular with whom early comparisons have been made.
'Ashley Cole' has been tantamount to a dirty word among Arsenal fans for the last 10 years, but manager Arsene Wenger has no problem likening Bramall's attributes to those of England's most capped full-back of all time.
Real inspirational story with Cohen Bramall. From non-league & losing his job in a factory to signing for Arsenal. Stuff of dreams.
"He's an exceptional physical talent. I don't think he's ready, today, to play in the Premier League but he has similarities to a young Ashley Cole," the manager told beIN Sports this week.
That suggests pace, energy and plenty of aggression in his game, all top traits to have. A background with his local athletics club in home-town Crewe has helped his physical game.
Given such lofty billing, it's only natural that Bramall should now be aiming high. He'll link up with the Under-23 squad for the time being but a place in the first-team is the ultimate target.
"He has been training with the Arsenal first team while this move has been under consideration, so he is definitely going there with the intent on breaking through eventually," Chapman further explained to Football London.
"Obviously he has a huge amount of development and work to do. Any player moving from part-time to professional football takes a while to adapt but in this case the jump in levels is so high.
"Realistically we can expect Cohen to cut his teeth in U-23 football but we are confident he will break through at senior level in good time."
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