Emile Smith Rowe has proved it was money well spent by Fulham by scoring on his home debut in a 2-1 win over Leicester.
The 24-year-old opened his account for the Cottagers in the 18th minute to fire his side into an early lead against the Midlands outfit.
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Marco Silva’s side forked out a club-record £34million to prise him away from Arsenal earlier this summer.
The England international has enjoyed a fantastic pre-season for the west London outfit – scoring in the friendlies against Sevilla and Hoffenheim.
And he has now grabbed his first official goal for his new side – and in some style.
Smith Rowe latched onto a through ball from Adama Traore, where he proceeded to skip past James Justin with ease.
And as Foxes goalkeeper Mads Hermansen came out to close him down, the attacking midfielder fired into the far corner with his left foot.
Wout Faes equalised for Fulham before the break, before Smith Rowe’s ex-Arsenal teammate Alex Iwobi grabbed the winner in the 70th minute.
Smith Rowe showed glimpses of his talent in Fulham’s away defeat to Manchester United last week.
But he has finally made his mark for the club, with the player hoping his good form could see his return to the Three Lions’ squad for September’s Nations League clashes against Ireland and Finland.
It was only on Friday which saw ex-boss Mikel Arteta comment on his regret at not being able to get the best out of him.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the Gunners‘ away clash at Aston Villa, the Spaniard was asked whether he felt sad by the Hale End graduate’s Emirates exit.
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To which he said: “A lot. When I had the talk with Emile, I really felt it.
“First of all because I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment.
“I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way.
“I don’t know how to explain it but that was my feeling. Something changed when he came in the team. He created a different energy straight away.
“And I have a feeling like ‘argh’, that I have not got the best out of him.
“Obviously a lot of things happened in that time.
“From my side it was really sad, because I know how those boys feel when they are in that building, how hard everyone works to get them close to the first team, so I feel a huge responsibility to give them the chance.
“And now, can they sustain this level and make us better? That is the idea.”
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