24 Facts About Reiss Nelson

Reiss Luke Nelson was born on 10 December 1999 and is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Fulham on loan from Premier League side Arsenal.

Reiss Nelson made his Arsenal debut in the 2017 FA Community Shield before leaving the club on loan in search of first-team football.

Reiss Nelson then moved to the Netherlands on loan at Feyenoord where he made a positive impact on their season and received more first-team action.

Reiss Nelson has represented England with every youth international team since debuting for the under-16's in November 2014.

Reiss Nelson has played in several youth UEFA European Championships, and he was selected in the 2016 under-17 edition's Team of the Tournament for his performances in England's quarter-final finish.

Reiss Nelson grew up in the Aylesbury Estate in Walworth and attended the London Nautical School, which trains young men from Inner London, often with maritime and sporting backgrounds.

Reiss Nelson played football at the school in conjunction with his training at Arsenal and still acts as a mentor there.

Reiss Nelson became friends with fellow aspiring footballer Jadon Sancho, who lived nearby, after they played together in youth tournaments; Nelson and Sancho were among many successful footballers from the Borough of Lambeth and South London at the time, including Tammy Abraham, Ademola Lookman and Tashan Oakley-Boothe.

Reiss Nelson has described his younger self as a "cheeky chappie" and someone who was "very loud", which he said often led him into trouble.

Reiss Nelson joined the Arsenal Academy in 2008, when he was eight years old.

Reiss Nelson signed his first professional contract in December 2016, following his 17th birthday.

On 13 July 2017, he made his unofficial debut for Arsenal against Sydney FC in a friendly; during the game Reiss Nelson played on the right-wing, dribbling balls towards the byline and setting up teammates Joe Willock and Danny Welbeck regularly.

Still playing youth football for the under-23 side, Reiss Nelson helped Arsenal win the Premier League 2, in the Professional Development League; he helped his side reach the final of the Premier League International Cup.

Reiss Nelson scored 10 goals in all youth competitions and was awarded PL2 Player of the Season.

On 31 August 2018, Reiss Nelson signed a long-term contract with Arsenal, and new Arsenal coach Unai Emery then sent him on a season-long loan at German club TSG Hoffenheim.

Reiss Nelson was brought into the first team along with fellow academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe as Emery looked to focus on youth talent in his second season; he was given the number 24 shirt.

Reiss Nelson made successive starts in Arsenal's opening two Premier League games against Newcastle United and Burnley; against Burnley he looked to have scored a goal from a slick passing move and a confident finish, but it was ruled out for offside in the buildup.

Reiss Nelson joined Eredivisie side Feyenoord on loan in August 2021; his squad number was 14 during his stay in the Netherlands.

In search of a match winner, Reiss Nelson scored a 25-yard strike after collecting a half-cleared corner in the seventh minute of added time.

Reiss Nelson's goal was followed by jubilant celebrations in the stadium with most Arsenal players and staff rushing to embrace Nelson; the win extended Arsenal's pursuit of a first league title in 19 years.

Arsenal eventually lost the title to Manchester City, but Reiss Nelson was voted Premier League Game Changer of the Season for his performance against Bournemouth, and his winning goal was voted by club supporters as Arsenal Goal of the Season.

Ahead of the new season, Nelson signed a new four-year contract with Arsenal, Arteta commented on Nelson's ability and importance to Arsenal saying that "Reiss knows how important he is to our squad with the quality he has".

Reiss Nelson was first picked to represent England in November 2014, when the under-16 coach Steve Cooper selected Reiss Nelson to be a part of his 18-man squad to play Scotland on 20 November.

Reiss Nelson was included in Cooper's squad for the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, and he helped England reach the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Spain; Reiss Nelson was named in the Team of the Tournament for his performances with England.