Fulham has officially announced the signing of England midfielder Emile Smith Rowe from Premier League rivals Arsenal on a five-year contract. While the official transfer fee remains undisclosed, reports suggest a significant sum, potentially reaching £34 million, making it a record signing for Fulham. The 24-year-old joined Arsenal’s academy at the tender age of 10 and rose through the ranks to make a total of 115 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions. However, he faced limited playing time last season as Arsenal secured a second-place finish in the Premier League. Seeking more regular game time, Smith Rowe expressed his excitement about joining Fulham’s ambitious project under manager Marco Silva.
“I’m finally here, so I’m really happy for me and my family — it’s a good moment,” he shared with FFCtv. “I’m really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my teammates.” Fulham, who finished 13th in the Premier League last season, presented Smith Rowe with a compelling vision for his future. “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,” Smith Rowe stated.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged Smith Rowe’s departure, commending his attitude while expressing support for his decision to seek a fresh start. “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,” Arteta told Arsenal’s official website. The transfer marks a significant step for Smith Rowe’s career, aiming to secure regular playing time and contribute to Fulham’s promising future in the Premier League.
