A FOOTBALLER from Leyton has taken the biggest step of his short career by signing professional terms with Premier League high-fliers Arsenal.

Seventeen-year-old Benik Afobe put pen to paper on the new deal on Monday after graduating from the club’s Hale End academy in Walthamstow.

Afobe joined the Gunners when he was just eight and has gradually worked his way through the ranks to the point that he has represented England at youth level.

As a schoolboy, he netted 11 times in just 12 games for the club’s under-18s, while he has also been prolific in front of goal this season, scoring 12 goals in just 17 games for Steve Bould’s side.