Maldini Kacurri sat down with Arsenal.com for his first interview after signing a new professional contract with the club.

Defender Maldini featured 13 times for Jack Wilshere's under-18s in the U18 Premier League last season and made the step up to the under-21s with four Premier League 2 Division One appearances.

He also played in the FA Youth Cup and UEFA Youth League and will be hoping for more minutes at Albania international youth level, having represented his country's under-17s and under-19s outfits.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, Maldini said: "I'm very happy. This is something that I've been working towards my whole life. I feel very proud of myself, and my family are very proud of me, so all in all I'm very happy and can't wait to keep going.

"Since the start I've felt very welcome. I settled in straight away and really enjoy it here. It's a very nice club to be at. It's good to pay off my family's efforts a little bit, but of course there's a lot more hard work that needs to be done.

"It wasn't a difficult decision at all to commit my future here. It's a great club, I've learned a lot here and I've improved so much. I can only see myself improve even more so it's a no-brainer really.

"As long as I keep focusing on myself and improving, that will give me the best chance to have a good career.

"I was comfortable with the under-21s last season and took the chances I was given. I can't wait for next season to prove myself even more. It's a lot more challenging than under-18s, a lot quicker, but that's how you learn. It will be good to see how I deal with that and learn from that.

"Without my family I couldn't do anything. They've helped me a lot throughout my journey and have supported me through the good times and the bad, so it's nice to know that they're always there."

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