Arsenal have signed forward Viktor Gyokeres from Portuguese club Sporting on a long-term contract.
Gyokeres enjoyed a prolific season for Sporting in 2024/25, scoring 54 goals in 52 appearances across all competitions, with 39 of those coming in the league.
He finished the campaign as the Primeira Liga top scorer for the second consecutive season as Sporting won back-to-back league titles.
The 27-year-old becomes Arsenal’s sixth addition of the summer, following Cristhian Mosquera, who signed on Thursday, plus goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, midfielders Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard, as well as winger Noni Madueke.
“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago, Gyokeres said in his first interview. “I think I’ve improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team.
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.”
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta added to the club’s official website: “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.”
Gyokeres will wear the iconic No 14 shirt for Arsenal that was made famous by legendary striker Thierry Henry.
Arsenal fans will hope Gyokeres can emulate Henry, who scored a record 175 goals for the club and won two Premier League titles with the Gunners, including their last, in 2003/04.
It has been said by many that a striker could be the one missing piece needed for Arsenal, who have finished as runners-up in the past three seasons, to end their 21-year wait for a Premier League title.
