Arsenal have accomplished the signing of striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
Gyokeres has signed a long-term deal on the Emirates – believed to be 5 years – after Arsenal and Sporting lastly agreed a charge of £55.1million, plus £8.7m in add-ons.
The phrases across the add-ons had threatened to derail the swap however Arsenal brought a successful end to the negotiations to capture the Sweden international and finish their prolonged seek for an out-and-out quantity 9.
Prolific Gyokeres stars in Portugal
Gyokeres has quickly developed into one of the vital coveted strikers in Europe after shifting to Portugal from Coventry in July 2023.
The 27-year-old scored 97 objectives in 102 appearances for Sporting, serving to them to back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and a nationwide cup. He was the league’s high scorer in each campaigns.
After a sluggish begin, his worldwide profession has additionally taken off with 12 objectives in his final 17 appearances for Sweden.
Gyokeres has been handed Arsenal’s number 14 shirt made famous by the great Thierry Henry.
Arteta thrilled with Gyokeres seize
Boss Mikel Arteta mentioned: “We’re completely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyökeres to the membership. The consistency he has proven in his performances and availability have been excellent, and his objective contributions converse for themselves.
“Viktor has so many qualities. He’s a fast and highly effective presence up entrance, with unimaginable goalscoring numbers at membership and worldwide ranges. He brings a medical edge with a excessive conversion charge of possibilities into objectives, along with his clever motion within the field making him a relentless risk.
“We’re enthusiastic about what Viktor brings to our squad and are wanting ahead to begin working with him.
“We welcome Viktor and his household to Arsenal.”
Striker search lastly over
Signing a striker was a precedence for Arsenal this summer time after three successive runners-up finishes within the Premier League.
They had been pressured to play Kai Havertz within the quantity 9 function for a lot of final season earlier than each he and fellow ahead Gabriel Jesus sustained severe accidents that saved them out for the majority of the second half of the marketing campaign.
Gyokeres joins fellow new-boys Noni Madueke, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera in signing for the North London membership because the finish of final season.
Sporting director Andrea Berta mentioned: “We’re so happy with the wonderful deal we have now accomplished to convey Viktor Gyökeres to the membership. Viktor is an distinctive expertise and has constantly demonstrated he has the qualities and profitable mentality required of a top-level centre-forward. His physicality, intelligence and work ethic make him an ideal match for our imaginative and prescient.
“We’re assured Viktor may have a significant affect on the pitch and develop into an necessary determine in our dressing room. Welcome, Viktor!”
Arsenal is the suitable membership for me – Gyokeres
Gyokeres was linked with a number of Premier League groups, together with Manchester United, however mentioned his coronary heart was at all times set on a transfer to the Emirates.
“I simply felt that it was the suitable membership for me,” he revealed. “What I heard from Mikel and Andrea after I was talking with them, and simply what I’ve seen up to now years, how they’ve been enjoying soccer. Once I was enjoying in opposition to Arsenal final season, I might actually really feel it was a really robust group and really tough to play in opposition to.
“That made me select Arsenal, and naturally all of the historical past the membership has and the huge fanbase. It’s been superb to see all of the help that they’ve already given me earlier than I even arrived. That’s what it’s all about. It’s going to be very good to see them within the stadiums as properly.”
