Viktor Gyökeres, a Swedish striker from Sporting CP, has officially been signed by Premier League powerhouse Arsenal.
The prolific forward has joined the team for their preseason tour in Asia and will don the renowned No. 14 shirt that club legend Thierry Henry once wore.
“Hello, Gooners! I’m thrilled to be here and am eager for the preseason tour to begin. I’ll see you at the Emirates.” Gyökeres expressed his excitement in a shared video on Arsenal’s official social media accounts.
Summer’s Sixth Big Signing
Gyökeres has agreed to a five-year contract with Arsenal, according to British media. According to reports, the deal is worth £55 million in guaranteed fees plus an extra £8 million in performance-based add-ons.
Manager Mikel Arteta has made this move his sixth acquisition during the summer transfer window. The Gunners have already strengthened their team in every position with the addition of defender Mosquera, midfielders Zubimendi and Nørgaard, goalkeeper Arrizabalaga, and winger Madueke.
Gyökeres: “I Just Feel Like I Fit With Arsenal’s Style.”
Despite strong interest from other elite clubs in Europe, Gyökeres gave this explanation in his first interview after joining the Gunners.
“This is the club that feels right for me. Arsenal is a powerful and challenging team to play against, as evidenced by their style of play, their growth over the last few years, and even the experience of playing against them. Naturally, the club’s ardent fan base and lengthy history also played a significant role.”
A Rising Star from Scandinavia with a Proven Record
Gyökeres, who was born in Stockholm, started his career at IF Brommapojkarna’s youth academy. In 2018, he transferred to Brighton & Hove Albion after making his senior debut at the age of 17.
Before permanently joining Coventry in 2021, he had loan stints at Swansea, St. Pauli, and Coventry City. He signed a £20.5 million contract with Sporting CP in 2023 after making an impression in the Championship.
Gyökeres was nothing short of extraordinary at Sporting, winning back-to-back league and domestic cup titles, scoring 97 goals in 102 games, and taking home the Primeira Liga Golden Boot twice.
An Outstanding Season and Global Achievement
Gyökeres played 52 games for Sporting in just the previous season, contributing 13 assists and 54 goals. He has scored 12 goals in his last 17 games for Sweden, demonstrating that his form has translated to the international arena as well. His current net worth is €75 million.
The New No. 9 Hope Is Praised by Arteta
Last season, injuries to Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz led to Arsenal struggling with consistency in the striker position. Gyökeres may be the answer, according to manager Mikel Arteta: “His scoring history is self-evident. He is reliable, frequently shows up, and adds a unique threat to our assault.”
With Gyökeres now part of the team, Arsenal is well-positioned to address its center-forward challenge. The team is now a strong contender in every competition, as they look to snap a two-decade Premier League title drought, thanks to a significant improvement in their overall attack and defensive balance.
