In their search for a new attacking player, Fulham have found what they are looking for at league rivals Arsenal. The Cottagers are digging deep into their pockets for Emile Smith Rowe
After a disappointing season for him – just 13 league games, none over the full distance – Arsenal’s home-grown Emile Smith Rowe went in search of a new club. He has now found one. The 24-year-old is staying in London and moving to Fulham FC. “We are delighted to have signed such a talented young player,” FFC sporting director Tony Khan was quoted as saying in the press release.
Expectations are high in west London due to the transfer fee: According to a media report by The Athletic, the Cottagers transferred €32 million to Arsenal as a basic transfer fee – a record transfer for Fulham. A further twelve million or so could even follow in the form of bonus payments
Smith Rowe joined Arsenal as a ten-year-old
Smith Rowe has worn the Gunners jersey for more than half his life. The attacking midfielder joined the London club’s youth academy at the age of ten and eventually made the leap into the first team. After loan spells at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield (2019 and 2020 for six months respectively), he celebrated his breakthrough at his training club in the 2020/21 season. The following season was his best to date: he scored ten goals in 33 league games.
However, injury problems – including groin problems – then set him back and he was no longer able to build on his performances.
Now he is trying to regain his old strength at Fulham, where he has signed a contract until 2029 with an option for a further year. “Listening to the project, talking to the manager and seeing the players we already have here, I think it’s an exciting project for me and definitely the perfect step for my career,” explained the midfielder.
However, his new chapter does not start in London, but in Portugal. The Whites are preparing for the coming season there. Fulham will face Benfica Lisbon in the Algarve today (Friday) and Sevilla on Monday.
