Italian side Cagliari have confirmed the signing of Ademide Akarakiri on a long-term deal following his Everton exit.The midfielder, who joined the Toffees in the summer of 2024 after 10 years at Arsenal, rejected fresh terms to remain on Merseyside.Former Arsenal prospect Akarakiri has spent the past two seasons at EvertonGettyThe 18-year-old – who is from London – impressed for Everton‘s Under-18s and Under-21s last season and had the option to stay.However, ‘Demi’ Akarakiri has instead opted to move to Sardinia to sign for Cagliari, who finished 14th in Serie A last season.Ademide Akarakiri joins Italian clubCagliari, who won their first and only Scudetto in 1969/70, only returned to Serie A in 2023 after winning the promotion play-offs.Since then, Fabio Pisacane’s men have bettered their league position by one each year, from 16th to 15th and then 14th last season.‘Gli Isolani’ have now announced that Akarakiri has signed a contract until June 30, 2030, with an option for a further three seasons.The London-born teenager, who has Nigerian heritage, would become only the second Englishman to play for the club if he makes his senior debut.Gerry Hitchens, who lifted the Scudetto with Inter Milan, left Cagliari 12 months before their one and only top-flight title-win.Akarakiri, meanwhile, is ‘considered one of the most interesting prospects of his generation‘ according to his new club.Cagliari added: “A promising player, Akarakiri joins the Rossoblu to embark on a development journey with the goal of further developing his talent and guiding him through the transition to professional football.”View Tweet: https://t.co/3olUapxxv8Who is Akarakiri?Cagliari revealed that the midfielder was monitored closely during his tenure for Everton’s youth sides last season.Akarakiri, who counts his running power with the ball and his passing among his key attributes, first rose through the ranks at Arsenal.He made the move to the north of England to join Everton’s Finch Farm two seasons ago, predominantly with the Under-18s side.Akarakiri stepped up to make a debut for the Blues’ Under-21s in February 2025 in the Premier League Cup.He was offered extension terms to remain at Everton this summer, but was swayed by continuing his development at Cagliari.World Cup WhatsAppDon't miss an update from talkSPORT in our dedicated World Cup WhatsApp channel.Search for ‘talkSPORT World Cup’ in your ‘Updates’ tab on WhatsApp and we’ll drop the proper, unfiltered football chat straight to your lock screen—no fluff, just pure talkSPORT energy.It’s where you’ll find out all the new rules to watch out for, England and Scotland reaction and big match player ratings. Plus there will be loads of debates on the biggest talking points as Haaland, Mbappe, Kane and the biggest names in football descend on America, Canada and Mexico.