Reiss Nelson has agreed a deal with Arsenal to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
Nelson is attracting curiosity from golf equipment in England and abroad however plans to totally assess his choices earlier than making a choice on his future. The Athletic reported earlier this month that West Ham United and Arsenal had held talks over a deal for Nelson.
The 26-year-old was coming into the ultimate yr of his contract on the Emirates Stadium, although it included an choice to lengthen by 12 months.
Although Arsenal now miss out on a switch charge for Nelson, his exit represents a saving on the wage invoice and there was an acknowledgement on the north London membership that, at 26, he wants to be taking part in common soccer.
The Englishman spent final season on mortgage at Brentford, however solely appeared 13 instances in all competitions for the west London facet. The ahead made simply three begins, which got here within the cup competitions, with accidents and sickness forcing him to miss 10 video games.
Nelson got here by the academy at Arsenal and signed his first skilled contract in December 2016. He made his debut in August of the next yr, approaching in its place in opposition to Chelsea within the Community Shield.
He made sporadic first-team appearances earlier than becoming a member of German membership Hoffenheim on mortgage for the 2018-19 season. He scored three targets in 22 appearances within the following marketing campaign however discovered sport time restricted in 2020-21 and subsequently joined Dutch facet Feyenoord on mortgage in August 2021.
Nelson made occasional appearances for Arsenal over the subsequent two seasons, signing a brand new contract in 2023, however was primarily used in its place and ultimately knowledgeable the membership in 2024 that he needed to assess his choices for a possible switch that summer time.
The former England Under-21 worldwide ultimately joined Fulham on mortgage, although his season was ended prematurely in December 2024 by a hamstring harm.
Nelson has made 90 appearances for Arsenal, scoring eight targets and offering 9 assists.
Nelson leaves a fan-favourite whose huge promise stays unfulfilled
Analysis from Arsenal author James McNicholas
A graduate of the Hale End academy, Reiss Nelson can be most fondly remembered by Arsenal followers for his 97th-minute winner in opposition to Bournemouth in March 2023.
That aim, which sealed a 3-2 comeback win, appeared to counsel Arsenal had been destined for the title. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be. It’s maybe an acceptable encapsulation of Nelson’s time in North London: huge promise, largely unfulfilled.
It was Arsene Wenger who first launched Nelson into Arsenal’s first-team atmosphere, noting his very good technical means. Mikel Arteta coached Nelson as a 16-year-old, and had designs on integrating him into his personal squad.
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Sadly, accidents have massively hindered his progress over the following decade. Loans to the likes of Fulham and Brentford had been ravaged by health points.
The summer time after that Bournemouth aim, Nelson signed a brand new long-term contract. That has now been terminated. At a time when many golf equipment are hoping for academy gamers to produce “pure profit”, Arsenal will get no return on Nelson. They will, not less than, make a major wage saving.
Now aged 26, there’s a recognition at Arsenal that Nelson wants to play. Hopefully he can transfer previous his harm points and showcase the expertise the likes of Wenger and Arteta undoubtedly noticed in him.