Ismeal Kabia joins on season-long loan from Arsenal

The 20-year-old becomes our ninth signing of the summer, joining from the English Premier League champions for season 2026/27.

The exciting winger spent season 2025/26 on loan at Shrewsbury Town, where he made 43 appearances and won League Two Goal of the Month for April after a stunning long-range strike against Fleetwood Town.

Ismeal first featured in Arsenal’s senior matchday squad in a 1-0 win over rivals Tottenham in September 2024. He made his one and only first team appearance in a 5-1 win over Bolton Wanderers in the EFL Cup.

After featuring for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly against Real Betis, Ismeal has chosen to join up with Craig McLeish’s men following interest from both sides of the border and in Europe. With clearance received, Ismeal is available for selection in tomorrow's Premier Sports Cup match away to Rangers.

Speaking to stmirren.com, manager Craig McLeish: "We’re delighted to have Ismeal with us.

"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,” the manager continued. "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."