Fulham hsve signed midfielder Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal on a five year contract with the option of a 12 month extension on Friday.
The deal for the 24 year old England international was worth a reported club record 34 million pounds ($43.6 million), including add ons.
Fulham plays Manchester United at Old Trafford on Aug. 16 in the first match of the Premier League season.
Smith Rowe joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of 10 and progressed through the ranks to make 115 senior appearances for the Gunners in all competitions.
“Listening to the project, speaking to the manager (Marco Silva) and seeing what players we have here already, I think it’s an exciting project for me, and definitely the perfect step for my career going forward,” he told FFCtv.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Smith Rowe’s commitment and attitude.
“I’m sad that Emile is leaving us, but excited for him to take this new opportunity at this stage of his career, when he needs to be starting matches and playing regularly,”
Fulham FC statement by Geoff Pruce
The Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.
An England international, Smith Rowe has penned a five year contract, keeping him at Craven Cottage until the summer of 2029, with a Club option to extend by a further 12 months.
A versatile attacking player, he primarily operated off the left wing or as a number 10 for the Gunners, but is also comfortable on the right, or in a slightly deeper midfield role.
Speaking to FFCtv after putting pen to paper, Smith Rowe said: “I’m finally here, so I’m really happy for me and my family – it’s a good moment.
“I’m really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my teammates.
“Listening to the project, speaking to the Manager, and seeing what players we have here already, I think it’s an exciting project for me, and definitely the perfect step for my career going forward.”
Tony Khan added: “I'm thrilled to announce the arrival of Emile Smith Rowe to Fulham Football Club!
“We're very excited to sign such a talented young player, and we look forward to Emile joining the squad in Portugal as we continue to prepare for the new season ahead! Come on Fulham!”
A lifelong Londoner, Smith Rowe – who turned 24 last Sunday – was born just 10 miles away from the Cottage, in Croydon, joining the Arsenal academy a decade later.
His first taste of senior football came in 2018/19 when he made six appearances across the UEFA Europa League and League Cup, scoring an impressive three times in those outings, before a brief loan spell in Germany with RB Leipzig in the second half of the campaign.
A Premier League debut arrived that December, before another loan, this time at second tier Huddersfield Town, where he scored his first league goal in a 3-2 defeat by Fulham at Craven Cottage.
Smith Rowe impressed during his time in Yorkshire, and scored the late winner against West Bromwich Albion that confirmed their Championship survival in the penultimate match of the season.
2020/21 saw Smith Rowe establish himself as a key player back with his parent club, featuring 33 times across all competitions, helping the Gunners reach the SemiFinals of the Europa League.
His form that year saw him rewarded with the number 10 shirt. It was a responsibility he relished, ending the season with 11 club goals and international recognition, scoring once in three appearances for Gareth Southgate’s side in 2021/22.
A year later he was named in the England squad for the 2023 Under21 European Championship, scoring in the first two group games en route to the Young Lions winning the trophy.
His final season at the Emirates saw him feature 19 times across all competitions as Arsenal ran eventual champions Manchester City very close in the title race.