St Mirren 'fight off interest' to sign Arsenal winger Kabia on loan

Ismael Kabia featured for Arsenal during a pre-season friendly against Girona in Spain [Getty Images] St Mirren have signed winger Ismeal Kabia on a season-long loan from English Premier League champions Arsenal. The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Shrewsbury Town becomes the Buddies' ninth summer signing. Kabia was included in Arsenal's matchday squad for the first time back in 2024 against Tottenham but didn't feature. His one and only first team appearance came in Arsenal's 5-1 win over Bolton in the League Cup. "We're delighted to have Ismeal with us," manager Craig McLeish said. "We've put a lot of work into it over the last few weeks. Arsenal had to give the go-ahead for when he could be released to come up because he's been involved with their first team throughout pre-season and played in some of their games. "Mikel Arteta gave the clearance after their friendly the other night that he was happy with their squad. "He'll bring real excitement. He's a one-v-one type winger with real pace and directness. "He had 43 appearances with Shrewsbury last season in League Two. He played a lot of football last season and now he's looking for his next step in his development. We're getting a really good, hungry young player. "We've had to fight off a lot of interest in him as well. He had lots of different options up here and down south and in Europe. It's a really good one for us and we're really excited to show him off."