Emile Smith Rowe’s club-record move to Fulham FC finally ends his 14-year love affair with Arsenal.
The transfer makes coach Mikel Arteta “sad” because the Spaniard cannot guarantee the 24-year-old a regular place in the first team.
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The versatile attacking midfielder joined the Gunners in 2010 at the age of ten but has now been sold for £34 million.
His transfer, for which the Cottagers initially paid £27 million and a further £7 million as a top-up, dwarfs the £25 million they spent on Jean Michael Seri in 2018.
Smith Rowe, who has signed a five-year contract at Craven Cottage with the option of extending it for a further 12 months, had been with Arsenal on their pre-season tour of America before flying back to the UK to undergo his medical at Fulham.
And now he will join his new teammates in Portugal to prepare for the Premier League opening game at Manchester United on August 16.
The three-time England international was due to have two years left on his Emirates contract, but has decided to leave the club in order to be able to play regular football.
Smith Rowe expressed his joy on Fulham’s website, saying: “I’m finally here and I’m really happy for myself and my family – it’s a beautiful moment.”
“I’m really excited. I just wanted to get here as soon as possible so I could get started with my teammates.
“Listen to the project, talk to the manager [Marco Silva]and when I see which players we already have here, I think it is an exciting project for me and definitely the perfect step for my future career.”
Arteta, meanwhile, is very disappointed with the sale and noted: “Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy were first class every day. He was always there when the team needed him.”
“He came into the first team and was crucial for us in a difficult moment.
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“He made an important impression with his strong performances and made our fans proud.
“I am sad to see Emile leave us, but I am happy for him that he is taking this new opportunity at this stage of his career where he needs to be in the starting eleven and play regularly.
“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, our absolute respect and our best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family all the best at Fulham.”
Sporting director Edu echoed Arteta’s sentiments, adding: “We all love Emile at the club.
“He has been with us for many years and we are so proud that he has developed into our first team through our academy system.
“It has been a positive collaboration to find the right place for Emile where he can continue to grow and leave his mark in the Premier League.
“We have concluded an important and positive deal for everyone. We thank Emile for everything he has given to Arsenal and wish him all the best in the next phase of his career.”
After falling down the pecking order under Arteta, Smith Rowe has only been able to make three top-flight appearances in the last two seasons.
Due to his peripheral role at Arsenal, he has failed to score in all competitions since scoring in the 4-2 away win at Chelsea in April 2022.
But he will be looking to regain his form at Craven Cottage and is aiming for a return to the Three Lions after two years since his last international appearance.
While Fulham fans will be delighted with his arrival, his departure from Arsenal is a bitter pill for the Gooners.
After making his debut for Arsenal in 2018, Smith Rowe scored 18 goals in 115 games for the north London giants.
In his breakthrough season of 2020/21, he was given the legendary number 10 shirt, previously worn by Dennis Bergkamp, Mesut Özil, Jack Wilshere and Robin van Persie.
And in the 2021/22 season, he became the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fabregas in 2010 to score double figures in a single season.
This season, however, left winger Gabriel Martinelli was injured and cemented his place in the team.
The signing of Fabio Vieira further limited Smith Rowe’s playing time, with the player only appearing 33 times in two years.
Smith Rowe once stressed that he would like to end his career at Arsenal, but now he wants to reinvent himself at the London club rivals.
And he may not be the only Hale End graduate Arsenal are selling; Eddie Nketiah is also a target for Marseille.
Meanwhile, Reiss Nelson also faces an uncertain future, as he is also expected to be a regular in the starting lineup.
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In addition, Arsenal’s academy star Chido Obi-Martin has left London Colney, while United are close to signing the 16-year-old striker.
There is, however, positive news for Arsenal: Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to be welcomed to the Emirates after his outstanding performances helped Spain win the 2024 European Championship.
It has been a hectic summer for Arsenal, who have already signed Riccardo Calafiori for £38 million from Bologna and David Raya for £27 million from Brentford.