Theo Walcott, the Arsenal winger, will become the latest footballer to put pen to paper, but it will not be another edition of the autobiography now standard for every recognisable player in the Premier League.

Instead, Walcott has signed a deal with Random House to write a collection of children's stories, based around the quest of a young boy - TJ - to become a professional soccer player.

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The financial terms of Walcott's agreement were undisclosed but, should the series be a success, it is likely to prove lucrative for the Arsenal star. "I'm really excited to be working on this series," Walcott told the Daily Mail newspaper. "Many of my experiences as a young footballer will be relived by TJ in the stories."

The books are expected to be launched in April.