After completing a big-money move to Fulham, Bukayo Saka has urged Emile Smith Rowe, his now-former colleague at Arsenal, to “go and shine.”
The England international and Craven Cottage have reached an agreement on a five-year contract with a one-year option to extend.
At the age of ten, the 24-year-old enrolled in Arsenal’s youth and worked his way up to make 115 professional games for the Gunners across all competitions.
At the same time as Mikel Arteta, Smith Rowe and Saka made their first team debuts at their boyhood club and were instrumental in turning around Arsenal’s fortunes.
Reflecting on the departure of Smith Rowe, Saka penned an emotional message on Instagram which read: From Hale End to the Emirates and all the memories on our journey.
‘It’s been an absolute pleasure. Go shine bro!’
Arsenal will net an initial £27 million from the deal, while the gifted midfielder will enjoy the regular first team football that had become increasingly rare under Arteta.
From Hale End to the first team. 55, 32, and then our number 10.
Once a Gunner, always a Gunner.
Thanks for the memories, Emile ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lgWWKHJfIL
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 2, 2024
‘I’m finally here, so I’m really happy for me and my family – it’s a good moment,’ Smith Rowe told FFCtv.
‘I’m really excited, I just wanted to get here as quickly as possible so I could get going with my team-mates.
‘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.’
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Smith Rowe’s commitment and attitude, adding on his club’s website: ‘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.’