Former Lincoln City loanee Tyreece John-Jules has been spotted training with Arsenal’s U21s as he looks to rebuild his career after leaving Crawley Town.
The 24-year-old striker is currently a free agent and has linked back up with his boyhood club in north London to maintain fitness.
John-Jules came through Arsenal’s Hale End academy, signing scholarship terms in 2017 before turning professional the following year. He was highly regarded in youth football, scoring regularly for the under-18s and under-21s and even travelling with the first-team on a pre-season tour under Unai Emery. Despite making six appearances on the bench, he never played a competitive senior match for Arsenal.
Instead, the forward was sent on a series of loans across the EFL. His first came in January 2020 with the Imps, when he joined on loan to replace the departing Tyler Walker.
He made his debut against Blackpool, netting and getting off to a top start. Michael Appleton praised the youngster’s potential and suggested he had the ability to break into Arsenal’s first team. Six further appearances followed without a goal, including a role in the tepid defeat against Southend United.
Sadly, an injury cut short his spell at Sincil Bank after just seven outings, and had it not, COVID would have certainly ended it.
After returning to Arsenal, John-Jules had loan spells with Doncaster Rovers, Blackpool, Sheffield Wednesday, Ipswich Town and Derby County. Persistent injuries frequently halted his momentum, including a severe hamstring tear at Derby, which required surgery in early 2024.
In total, he made 12 league appearances for Derby, scoring once in a 1–0 win over Port Vale, before missing the remainder of the campaign. Despite the setbacks, he was part of a squad that earned promotion to the Championship.
Released by Arsenal in 2024, he signed with Crawley Town in October of that year. He featured in League One during the 2024/25 season before leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract in June 2025.
Now back training with Arsenal’s U21s, John-Jules is looking to prove his fitness and remind clubs of his ability. He has spent the summer training with the PFA squad, and may represent a roll of the dice for an EFL club currently struggling.
However, his return of zero goals in 27 outings for Crawley will certainly put many suitors off, and his salvation may lie in the National League.
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