Jakub Kiwior makes astonishing claim about Arsenal transfer exit and final day at club

Jakub Kiwior has revealed that he only learned that his move to Porto had gone through after seeing the news on social media. Kiwior has left Arsenal to join the Portuguese side on a season-long loan that will turn into a permanent £22.5million transfer next summer.

The Polish defender made 68 appearances for Arsenal after joining from Spezia in January 2023, but never nailed down a starting spot. He was used as a back-up centre-back by Mikel Arteta and was keen to secure some more regular first-team football this summer.

His exit only became viable once Arsenal had lined up a move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie as a replacement. But Leverkusen’s negotiating led to frustrating delays in Kiwior leaving for Porto, creating a confusing situation for the 25-year-old.

“It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal because I didn’t know when it would actually happen,” he told reporters after joining up with Poland on international duty.

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“If I had known the exact day in advance, I would have had time to prepare. In the last three days there, I didn’t know which would truly be my last.

“Fabrizio Romano announced ‘here we go’, and I started receiving dozens of messages and calls congratulating me. I was starting training… The players saw it on their phones and asked me why I had put on my kit if it was already closed.

“I refused to say goodbye there because I still didn’t have information about what might or might not happen. The next day I returned, already knowing I could say goodbye.

“I went to the pitch to say goodbye to my teammates and the coach. They set up a farewell tunnel, and it was tough… I didn’t have everyone I wanted to say goodbye to, and I still had to make some phone calls.”

With Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba secure as Arsenal’s first-choice centre-back pairing, Kiwior had to be patient for his opportunities under Arteta. He played at left-back as well as in the centre of defence when injuries or rotation allowed, but has a clear preference of position.

“I feel more comfortable playing left-back,” he said. “My experience at Arsenal has given me great quality with the ball at my feet. It’s a great pleasure for me to sign for FC Porto because I know the history and know this is a great club, so I’m very happy.

“I was really looking forward to getting here and discovering everything about the club. This isn’t the best of times, because we’re on international break, and I have to wait another week to meet the fans and understand the atmosphere.”

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