Arsenal have confirmed that Jakub Kiwior has permanently joined Porto — though you could be forgiven for missing it.
Rather than a dedicated announcement or social media post, the club buried the news inside a loan watch roundup on their official website, writing:
“Jakub Kiwior’s move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos’ Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend.”
Blink and you’d miss it.
Porto had already gone public on the deal last week, confirming they had activated their option to buy and tied Kiwior down on a long-term contract until 2030.
You’re Mikel Arteta…who is your NUMBER ONE big summer signing this year?
How much Arsenal are getting for Jakub Kiwior transfer
The fixed fee for the Kiwior sale is €17m, with up to €5m in add-ons and a €2m sell-on clause retained by Arsenal.
Factor in the €2m loan fee Porto paid last summer and the deal has a maximum value of around £22.5m.
That’s a reasonable return on the €20m the Gunners spent signing him from Spezia in January 2023, although some will feel the 26-year-old could’ve commanded considerably more on the open market.
Kiwior made 68 appearances for the club across two-and-a-half seasons, including a Community Shield winners’ medal, before heading to Porto on loan last summer.
He has played 38 times for the Portuguese champions this season.
Why Kiwior never quite made it at Arsenal
Kiwior was never quite able to nail down a regular starting spot at the Emirates, but he was a reliable squad player and a popular figure.
The manner of his departure being announced as a footnote in a roundup article is a bit strange, particularly for a player who gave some memorable contributions in last season’s Champions League run.
The Poland international stepped in for an injured Gabriel Magalhaes at the back end of the 2024/25 campaign, and notably kept Kylian Mbappe quiet in both victories over Real Madrid.
With his direct replacement, Piero Hincapie, being an instant fan favourite, the writing was on the wall for Kiwior’s Arsenal future, but a league title at Porto was a fitting next chapter.
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