RB Leipzig snap up Emile Smith Rowe on loan from Arsenal

31.01.2019

RB Leipzig have snapped up promising English youngster Emile Smith Rowe on a six-month loan deal from Arsenal.

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder become the latest up-and-coming Englishman to come to the Bundesliga in search of game time and development opportunities, following in the footsteps of fellow teenagers Reiss Nelson and Jadon Sancho. He's been handed the number 18 shirt.

"We’ve been watching the lad for several months," said Leipzig head coach and sporting director Ralf Rangnick. "He adds a lot to our game, I think we suit his qualities as well, and he’s capable of playing in a number of attacking positions."

Smith Rowe played alongisde Reiss Nelson during his time at Arsenal, and will now face his fellow loanee when RB Leipzig face Hoffeheim on 25 February. - 2018 Getty Images

Smith Rowe has made six senior appearances for the Gunners this season, scoring three goals in the UEFA Europa League and English Football League Cup. He helped his boyhood club lift the Premier League 2 title in 2017/18 and has also represented England at various youth levels, winning the FIFA U17 World Cup in India two years ago.

The Englishman is Leipzig's fourth recruit of a busy January transfer window, after highly rated American youngster Tyler Adams and Red Bull Salzburg pair Amadou Haidara and Hannes Wolf. Ralf Rangnick's side currently sit fourth in the table ahead of Friday night's trip to Hannover in the opening game of Matchday 20.