Arsenal quietly confirm first summer transfer as Kiwior joins Porto

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Arsenal have officially confirmed that Jakub Kiwior has completed a permanent transfer to Porto, marking the Gunners’ first confirmed departure of the summer window.

The Poland international joined the Portuguese giants on a season-long loan last August, with Porto always holding an option to make the move permanent. According to the Evening Standard, the club exercised that clause for an initial fee of £14million that could rise to £19million with add-ons.

Arsenal retained a £1.7million sell-on clause in any future transfer, while Kiwior has signed a contract running until 2030 with a £60million release clause.

Player pushed for permanent move

The defender revealed that Arsenal were initially reluctant to let him leave permanently, contrary to speculation that the club were looking to offload him.

“Arsenal didn’t want to let me leave London and didn’t agree to a transfer for a long time,” Kiwior explained to Polish broadcaster TVP Sport. “I was valued for the player and footballer I was. Nobody wanted to get rid of me.”

The 24-year-old admitted that he had to convince Mikel Arteta to sanction the move, explaining his desire for regular playing time with Gabriel and William Saliba established as the club’s first-choice centre-back pairing.

“I convinced him myself. I went to talk to him and explained how I saw everything. He understood my ambitions and my desire to play,” Kiwior added. “He accepted my reasoning, spoke with the sporting director, and things moved quickly after that.”

Successful loan spell in Portugal

Kiwior made a significant impact during his loan spell at Porto, helping the club secure the Primeira Liga title this season. The defender established himself as a regular starter and impressed sufficiently for Porto to trigger their purchase option.

The Polish international had struggled for consistent game time at Emirates Stadium following his £20million arrival from Spezia in January 2023. Despite showing promise in his limited appearances, the competition for places intensified further with Arsenal’s summer additions in defense.

Arsenal confirmed the permanent transfer in their weekly loan update, stating: “Jakub Kiwior’s move to Porto has now become permanent following the Dragaos’ Liga Portugal title triumph last weekend.”

The departure represents a modest loss on Arsenal’s initial investment but clears space in the squad while ensuring the defender continues his development with regular first-team football at one of Europe’s established clubs.