Reiss Nelson has joined Fulham on a season-long loan with no option to buy in a very late deadline-day switch.

CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the first half against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA: Reiss Nelson of Arsenal FC controls the ball during the first half against AFC Bournemouth during a pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Dignity Health Sports Park on July 24, 2024. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

With just hours to go before Friday’s transfer deadline, reports suggested as many as four clubs were still in for the loan signing of Reiss Nelson from Arsenal.

Ipswich Town took the lead, and it seemed like they were going to complete the move, but it fell apart at the last minute.

Fulham snuck in, getting a deal sheet submitted just in time for the 11pm deadline, and eventually announcing the move at 1:30am BST.

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Liverpool’s Konstantinos Tsimikas (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson (R) during the pre-season club friendly football match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 31, 2024. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the loan doesn’t include any option or obligation to buy, and Nelson will return to Arsenal on July 1st, 2025.

“I’m very happy to welcome Reiss Nelson to Fulham Football Club! Reiss is a talented young player, and we’re excited that he’s joined the squad on loan,” Fulham’s Tony Khan said.

“His arrival concludes a busy transfer window for the Club, and we’re all looking forward to a great season ahead.”

Bournemouth's Adam Smith (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal's Reiss Nelson during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on July 24, 2024. (Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images)
Bournemouth’s Adam Smith (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal’s Reiss Nelson during a pre-season friendly football match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at the Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, on July 24, 2024. (Photo by RINGO CHIU/AFP via Getty Images)

The move was likely approved in part because Arsenal made a late move to sign Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on loan. With Sterling bolstering the squad’s attacking options, Nelson needed to move on to guarantee regular minutes this season.

Nelson will link up with former Gunners Emile Smith Rowe, Alex Iwobi, and Bernd Leno at Craven Cottage.

This is the third loan of his career, having played for Hoffenheim and Feyenoord in previous seasons.