Fulham have officially acquired midfielder Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal on a permanent transfer.
The versatile 24-year-old saw limited playing time last season, totaling just 475 minutes across all competitions.
Seeking a more prominent role, Smith Rowe moves to Fulham, with the club reportedly breaking their transfer record by paying an initial £27m and agreeing to an additional £7m in potential add-ons.
Despite the significant fee, Smith Rowe’s transfer won’t surpass Arsenal’s record sale, which remains the £35m received from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s move to Liverpool in 2017.
“I’m finally here, so I’m really happy for me and my family – it’s a good moment,” Smith Rowe remarked upon completing the move.
“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.”
Smith Rowe, who joined Arsenal’s academy in 2010, spent 14 years with the club.
He made his first-team debut in September 2018 and went on to make 115 appearances in all competitions, scoring 18 goals.
While he was a regular squad member in the 2021/22 season, his playing time significantly decreased the following year.
Under Mikel Arteta, Smith Rowe managed just 162 Premier League minutes in the 2022/23 season and has now decided to leave his childhood club.
He becomes Fulham’s second signing of the summer, following Ryan Sessegnon’s free transfer from Tottenham Hotspur.
Fulham are also targeting Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
They have submitted a £20m bid for the Scotland international, but Manchester United is holding out for a figure closer to £30m.
