Viktor Gyokeres, a Swedish international, has been signed by Arsenal, ending its years-long search for a prolific goalscorer.
Gyokeres signed a five-year contract with Sporting Lisbon on Saturday, signing a deal worth a rumored $63 million ($85 million).
Victor has consistently demonstrated that he has the qualities and winning mentality needed for a top-level center-forward. According to Andrea Berta, director of sports at Arsenal, “His physicality, intelligence, and work ethic make him a perfect fit for our vision.”
The 27-year-old striker makes his debut at Arsenal after establishing himself following two outstanding seasons in Portugal, where he led Lisbon to back-to-back league titles in 2024 and 2025, scoring 54 goals in 52 games played in all competitions alongside world leaders Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappe.
Arsenal, which finished second in each of its previous three Premier League seasons, has long been mistaken for a top-notch striker. Its attempts to challenge Liverpool for the title last term were severely undermined by the failure to add one during the January transfer window.
Manager Mikel Arteta praised the consistency he showed in his performances and availability, which are outstanding. He has incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels, according to his quick and powerful presence up front.
Gyokeres makes his debut in England after starting out at Brighton as a youth player and moving up to second-tier Coventry, where his 22 goals helped the team reach the 2023 playoff final.
Lisbon was interested in his 40 goals in 97 Coventry games, which earned him a 25 million pound move to the Portuguese club.
There has been much rumor about a move to one of Europe’s biggest clubs, including Manchester United, based on his explosive form over the past two seasons. However, Arsenal has already scoured his market for his signature, making the deal a remarkable improvement for a player who was first developed at Brommapojkarna, a Swedish club known for guiding the development of some of the country’s best emerging players.
At the age of 16, 17, 18, and 19, Dalibor Savic, his former youth coach at the Swedish club, told The Associated Press in November, “He was a late developer.” He said, “He will accomplish something if he sets his intention.”
After failing to break through at Brighton, a club known for finding players like Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister in recent years, Gyokeres will need to show he can move up to the Premier League. Before making a permanent move to Coventry, he was only allowed to play eight games for the club and was then sent to St Pauli in Germany and Swansea on loan.
His performances at Arsenal suggest he can keep that kind of form, both for Sweden and in the Champions League.
He made six Champions League appearances for Lisbon last season and was the top scorer in the Nations League, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and Haaland.
Source: Aljazeera
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