Arsenal sign Gyokeres for £63.5m

Arsenal have completed the signing of Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres.

Arsenal announced the striker’s signing via a statement on Saturday.

Arsenal will pay the Portuguese club a £55 million (€63m) guaranteed fee, plus £8.5 million (€10m) in add-ons, with Gyokeres joining on a five-year deal.

The Premier League club stated: “We are delighted to announce that Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres has signed for us on a long-term contract.

“The 27-year-old striker arrives from Sporting Lisbon, where he scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 appearances.”

Bringing in a striker has been a primary focus for Arsenal in this transfer window having explored conditions for several players, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.

Gyokeres said he wants to “prove himself for real” in the Premier League, having shone in the Championship with Coventry before moving to Sporting.

The striker said: “I always want to score. To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can’t wait. It will be an amazing feeling.

“I started here (in England), it feels like a long time ago. I think I’ve improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team.

“It’s a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing.

“When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well. Now to come here to a club on Arsenal’s level, I think it’s going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I’m really excited to get going.”

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After joining Sporting from Coventry City for around £20 million in 2023, Gyokeres has scored an incredible 97 goals in just 102 matches during his two seasons in the Portuguese capital.

Gyokeres netted 54 goals in only 52 games in all competitions last campaign, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League, as he helped Sporting win the league and the Portuguese Cup.

A move to Arsenal sees Gyokeres return to English football, having joined Brighton & Hove Albion in January 2018, before moving to Coventry after loan spells at St Pauli and Swansea City.

Gyokeres scored 43 goals for Coventry in his two-and-a-half seasons with the Championship side.

Also speaking, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres 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.”

Gyokeres will wear the number 14 shirt and will immediately join up with Arsenal squad on pre-season tour in Asia.

The Star