Arsenal have signed centre-back, Jakub Kiwior from Spezia in a £22m transfer.
Kiwior made 43 appearances without scoring for Spezia since he joined the Serie A club in August 2021 from Slovakia’s Zilina, but now become Arsenal’s second signing of the mid-season transfer window after Leandro Trossard joined the club on Friday (20 January) from Brighton.
Arsenal Sporting Director, Edu is “delighted” to complete Kiwior’s transfer who he has hailed as a “young talent” and is eager to see him continue his development in North London.
Manager, Mikel Arteta added: “It’s great that Jakub is joining us. He’s a young versatile defender who has shown huge potential and qualities with Spezia in Serie A, and also at international level with Poland.
“Jakub is a player who will give us strength and quality to our defensive unit. We welcome Jakub and his family to Arsenal and look forward to working with him.”
Spezia meanwhile issued the following statement celebrating Kiwior’s time at the club: ‘The Club thanks the strong Polish national team, protagonist in the white jersey for 43 times and grown exponentially in his path on the shore of the Gulf of Poets after his arrival from MSK Zilina, so much so as to win a place in the starting line-up of Poland in the recent World Championships held in Qatar.
‘Serious and ambitious professional, among the great architects of the important salvation obtained in the last championship, Jakub wishes the best for the continuation of his bright career.’
Kiwior also represents Poland in international football and made his senior international debut against Netherlands, from which he swiftly established himself as part of Fernando Santos’ squad and started all four of their games at 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 22 year-old Polish international therefore joins Arsenal with nine international caps to his name, linking up with William Saliba who was part of the France squad which eliminated Kiwior’s Poland in Round of 16 at the World Cup.
Kiwior has signed a long-term contract and will wear the number 15 shirt, plus is set to make his debut for Arsenal away at Manchester City on Friday 27 January in a Fourth Round tie in this season’s FA Cup, live on ITV1 in a 8pm GMT kick-off.
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