Premier League club Arsenal has confirmed the arrival of Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres after a rather protracted negotiation with Portuguese side, Sporting Lisbon.
Gyökeres, 27, has signed for five years.
The centre forward had refused to ever represent Sporting again with the club holding out for more money, but in the end a deal was agreed for an initial £55 million (R1.3 billion) with around £9 million (R214 million) in further add-ons.
The 27-year-old scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 appearances, justifying the big money move.
During his two seasons with Sporting, Gyökeres helped the team win back-to-back Primeira Liga titles, a national cup, and was the league’s top scorer in both campaigns. He has also excelled at international level, scoring 12 goals in his last 17 appearances for Sweden.
Born in Stockholm, Gyökeres started his career with IF Brommapojkarna, where he developed through their youth academy, scoring 32 goals in 31 appearances at under-19 and under-21 levels, and making his senior debut as a 17 year old.
In January 2018, the clinical goalscorer joined Brighton & Hove Albion, during which time he enjoyed loan spells at Swansea City, St. Pauli and Coventry City, moving to the Sky Blues permanently in 2021 and helping them to the Championship Play Off final in 2023.
Arsenal 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!”
Manager Mikel Arteta added: “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.”
Viktor will wear the number 14 shirt and will immediately join up with the squad on their pre-season tour in Asia.
