Did you know the youngest goalscorer in Premier League history is Essex-born and collected his GCSE results in Brentwood yesterday?
Max Dowman was born in Chelmsford on December 31, 2009.
He began playing football in south Essex with Billericay Town FC, joining at youth level around the age of five.
Arsenal signed him in 2015 and Sky Sports reports say he often trained two years above his own age group.
According to Sky Sports, Dowman made his Arsenal Under-18s debut at the age of 13 in September 2023.
A year later, he scored against Atalanta in the UEFA Youth League and at 14 years, eight months and 19 days, he became the youngest player to score in the competition.
By December 2024, Dowman was reportedly training regularly with Arsenal's senior squad under manager Mikel Arteta.
His first-team debut came in a pre-season match against AC Milan in Singapore in July 2025, when he was 15.
His first competitive Premier League appearance followed on August 23, against Leeds United.
Dowman became the second-youngest player in the league's history, behind fellow Arsenal academy graduate Ethan Nwaneri.
He also won a stoppage-time penalty during Arsenal's 5-0 victory.
More records followed when, in October 2025, he became Arsenal's youngest ever starter, aged 15 years and 302 days, during an EFL Cup match against Brighton.
In November, he became the youngest player to appear in the UEFA Champions League at 15 years and 308 days old when he played against Slavia Prague.
Perhaps his best-known accolade is being the Premier League's youngest ever goalscorer.
Dowman scored his first Premier League goal against Everton on March 14 this year at 16 years and 73 days.
Arsenal later won the 2025-26 Premier League title, making Dowman the youngest player to win the competition, aged 16 years and 139 days - surpassing the previous record held by Phil Foden.
Despite his growing profile, Dowman still had to sit his GCSEs this year and yesterday (August 20) he attended Brentwood School to pick up his results.
After collecting his results, Dowman said: “I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Brentwood School for everything they have done for me during my time here.
"Although my journey at the school is ending earlier than expected as I pursue my football career, I will always be incredibly grateful for the support that the school and the staff have given me.
"The lessons I have learned, both on and off the pitch, will stay with me as I take this next step in my journey.
He gave special thanks to teachers Mrs Crowley, Mr Gamester and Miss Antonello for their "kindness, support and encouragement" throughout his time at the school.
He added: "I will always be grateful for the difference they have made to my experience here.
"I leave with some fantastic memories and friendships that I will always cherish.
"I am excited for what the future holds, but I will always look back on my time at Brentwood with great pride and gratitude.”
Dowman's football has developed across several positions, including central and attacking midfield and winger.
Arsenal youth coach Gustavo Oliveira called him “the next Kaká”, while England international Declan Rice described him “the best 15-year-old in the country”.
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