A FORMER Nantwich Town youth player has signed for Arsenal – after being made redundant just days before Christmas.

Cohen Bramall, 20, was released from Bentley Motors’ Crewe factory on the Tuesday before Christmas after coming to the end of his contract.

The following day the pacey left-back – who was playing for non-league side Hednesford Town at the time – was invited to a trial at Arsenal.

His efforts impressed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, who compared Bramall to a young Ashley Cole after signing him in a deal worth £40,000.

Bramall, the South Cheshire area, told the club’s official website: “Incredible, incredible. It’s a dream come true.

"I can’t believe that I’m here already. I played a game at Birmingham City on a Monday.

"Then on the Tuesday, I was made redundant from Bentley Motors and on the Wednesday, Arsenal came in.

“I was gobsmacked and took the chance with both hands.

"I drove down on the Wednesday and trained with the first team on Thursday and Friday. Then they offered me a deal.”

Bramall was involved in the youth set-up with Nantwich Town FC from around 14, but was later released by then-manager, Danny Jonson, after struggling to force his way into the first team.

Nantwich Town Football Secretary, Bernard Lycett, said: “He started as a kid with us. He made a couple of first team appearances.

“He looked the part but he couldn’t jump up to our level at the time.

“He was released by the club and decided to take a step down to get regular playing time with Market Drayton Town FC.”

Jonson eventually left his post as manager at the club in February 2015 by mutual consent with the club.

Bernard said: “If we had the same manager we had now we wouldn’t have released him.

“People like myself, we thought he shouldn’t be released. That was the manager’s decision at the time.”

He added: “He fit into the club well. He was a nice lad, he was happy and easy going. And easy to coach, very enthusiastic.”

Bernard said everyone involved with the club were delighted to hear their former youth player had signed for the three-time Premier League champions.

He said: “We like to think we’ve played some part in bringing the lad on.

“It’s a big difference that level to what we can provide. It’s a different world, a totally different world. We are dead pleased for him in Nantwich, we wish him all the best.

“It would be nice if one day he plays for England, and we can say ‘oh, he played for us once’.