Emile Smith Rowe joins Fulham News

Emile Smith Rowe has joined Fulham on a permanent transfer.

Emile joined our Academy aged ten and progressed through each age group before making his way into the first-team squad. He went on to make 115 senior appearances for us in all competitions, scoring 18 goals and assisting 13 times.

Having made 55 appearances in total across our Under-18 and Under-21 teams, Emile was an integral part of our Academy setup during his development years. Flourishing in youth football and completing his pathway in promotion to our first team, Emile signed his first professional contract in July 2017. His strong performances resulted with a new long-term deal just a year later.

The versatile midfielder made his first team debut in September 2018, when he came on as a substitute in our 4-2 win against Vorskla Poltava, creating history as the first player born in the 2000s to debut for the club. Emile didn’t have to wait long for his first goal, scoring in the following UEFA Europa League match away to Qarabag in Azerbaijan in a 3-0 win in October 2018.

In January 2019, Emile joined Bundesliga side RB Leipzig on a short-term loan, before moving to gain further valuable loan experience at Championship side Huddersfield Town in 2020. An impressive spell in Yorkshire led to 19 appearances in the league, where he scored twice and assisted three times to help Huddersfield secure safety.

The 2020/21 season was a memorable one which saw Emile integrated into our first team, and started with a season opener featuring silverware, as he was part of the matchday squad to lift the FA Community Shield following our 5-4 win on penalties against Liverpool. Emile made 33 senior appearances in all competitions during the season, assisting three times and scoring four goals – including his first in the Premier League in a 3-1 home win against West Brom.

The following season was another strong campaign for the Hale End graduate, including a memorable performance in the North London Derby. He scored and assisted that day to help us beat Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 at Emirates Stadium. Emile finished the campaign with his best numbers, making 37 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals and assisting twice. At the time, he was the first Hale End graduate since Cesc Fabregas to score double figures in a season.

Emile’s journey with England at youth level was highly successful. He represented his country from Under-16 level all the way through to senior football, winning the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in 2017 and, more recently, the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

His first senior cap arrived in November 2021, when he came on as a substitute in England’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying win against Albania. He scored his first senior goal in the same international break just three days after his debut, scoring against San Marino in a 10-0 victory.

Sporting Director Edu said: “Emile is loved by us all at the club. He has been with us for many years, and we are so proud that he has developed through our Academy system into our first team. It has been a positive collaboration to find the right place for Emile, where he will continue to grow and make his mark on the Premier League. We have completed an important and positive deal for everyone.

“We thank Emile for everything he gave to Arsenal and we wish him well in the next stage of his career.”

Mikel Arteta added: “Emile’s commitment, attitude and energy every day was first class, always stepping up when the team needed him. He came into the first team and was instrumental during a difficult moment for us. He created an important impression, with his strong performances making our supporters proud.

“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.

“Emile is loved by everyone at the club and leaves us with our gratitude, absolute respect and best wishes. We all wish Emile and his family well at Fulham.”

Everyone at Arsenal thanks Emile for his contribution to the club and wishes him all the best for his future.

The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.