Arsenal have completed the signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Gyokeres has signed a long-term deal at the Emirates – believed to be five years – after Arsenal and Sporting finally agreed a fee of £55.1million, plus £8.7m in add-ons.
The terms around the add-ons had threatened to derail the switch but Arsenal brought a successful end to the negotiations to capture the Sweden international and end their lengthy search for an out-and-out number nine.
Prolific Gyokeres stars in Portugal
Gyokeres has rapidly developed into one of the most coveted strikers in Europe after moving to Portugal from Coventry in July 2023.
The 27-year-old scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, helping them to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and a national cup. He was the league’s top scorer in both campaigns.
After a slow start, his international career has also taken off with 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for Sweden.
Gyokeres has been handed Arsenal’s number 14 shirt made famous by the great Thierry Henry.
Arteta thrilled with Gyokeres capture
Boss Mikel Arteta said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyökeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves.
“Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat.
“We’re excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him.
“We welcome Viktor and his family to Arsenal.”
Striker search finally over
Signing a striker was a priority for Arsenal this summer after three successive runners-up finishes in the Premier League.
They were forced to play Kai Havertz in the number nine role for much of last season before both he and fellow forward Gabriel Jesus sustained serious injuries that kept them out for the bulk of the second half of the campaign.
Gyokeres joins fellow new-boys Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera in signing for the North London club since the end of last season.
Sporting director Andrea Berta said: “We are so pleased with the excellent deal we have completed to bring Viktor Gyökeres to the club. Viktor is an exceptional talent and has consistently demonstrated he has the qualities and winning mentality required of a top-level centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision.
“We are confident Viktor will have a major impact on the pitch and become an important figure in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor!”
Arsenal is the right club for me – Gyokeres
Gyokeres was linked with several Premier League teams, including Manchester United, but said his heart was always set on a move to the Emirates.
“I just felt that it was the right club for me,” he revealed. “What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football. When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against.
“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. It’s been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That’s what it’s all about. It’s going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.”
