Arsenal has officially announced that Sweden international Viktor Gyokeres has signed for the North London club on a long-term contract after several weeks of speculation.

The 27-year-old striker arrives from Sporting Lisbon, where he scored an incredible 97 goals in 102 appearances.

During his two seasons with Sporting, Viktor 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, Viktor 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.Born in Stockholm, Viktor 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’s 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!”

Arsenal 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 according to Arsenal he will immediately join up with the squad on Arsenal men’s pre-season tour in Asia.

Despite scoring 97 goals for Sporting Lisbon over the past two seasons, Viktor Gyokeres admits he cannot wait to experience the feeling of hitting the back of the net in Arsenal colours.

The Swedish striker has joined Arsenal from the Portuguese giants having fired them to two league titles and a domestic cup, proving himself to be one of European football’s most prolific scorers, a fact backed up by his record at international level as well as a haul of six Champions League goals last term.

Despite playing for Brighton & Hove Albion, Swansea City and Coventry City during his career, the 27-year-old has yet to feature in the Premier League. But now he has his chance to step up after arriving in north London, he is ready to make his mark, especially with the calibre of teammates he now has eager to provide him with ammunition.

“I always want to score,” he said. “To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can’t wait. It will be an amazing feeling.

“I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I’ve improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team. 

“It’s a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. 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. I’m really excited to get going.”

Viktor’s goalscoring exploits meant he was one of the continent’s most in-demand attackers, but after speaking with Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta this summer, he felt that a move to Emirates Stadium was the right one to help his career continue on its upward curve.

That was backed up by the support he received from Gooners across the globe reaching out to him on social media to try and convince him that his future lay in N5, something he admits he is keen to pay back in goals.

“I just felt that it was the right club for me,” he revealed. “What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I’ve seen in the past years, how they’ve been playing football. When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against. 

“That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. It’s been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That’s what it’s all about. It’s going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.”

Last season saw Viktor get a taste of what life might be like in red and white when Arsenal travelled to Lisbon to face his Sporting side in the Champions League, and Arsenal ran out 5-1 victors. 

Having battled hard with Gabriel, William Saliba and the rest of Gooners defenders that night, Viktor is relishing the prospect of training with them every week as he intends to take his game to the next level at his new home.

Reflecting on that game in November, he assessed: “You were very solid defensively, it was hard to create chances. You were very good on set-pieces as well, and very effective in front of goal, you scored five goals. I think that the team was very good, both going forward and defensively as well. It was a tough game. 

“It’s going to be fun. I think there’s going to be some good training sessions hopefully, and it’s a great way to improve.” He told Arsenal.

Alejandro Garnacho is delighted for Marcus Rashford after he became the first Manchester United exile to escape the club this summer. Rashford completed his loan move to Barcelona on Wednesday, who have the option to sign him permanently, meaning his time at United may have come to an end.

The 27-year-old has not played for United since December, having fallen out with Ruben Amorim, and joins Barca following a loan spell at Aston Villa.

While Rashford’s move is only a season-long loan, Barca have the option to make it permanent for €30million (£26m).

He is delighted to have sealed his dream move to Spain and fellow outcast Garnacho clearly feels the same. Writing underneath one of Rashford’s many Instagram posts on Wednesday, the Argentina international said: “Lets goooooo” with two saluting emojis.