I found out about my Arsenal transfer from a viral post while I was training

3 hours ago 26

Jakub Kiwior left Arsenal for FC Porto on loan, but has revealed he only learned of his exit through a viral social media post.

It was a hectic summer transfer window for Arsenal, who brought in eight new signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie. Players deemed surplus to requirements were also moved on, either permanently or on loan.

Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos and Albert Sambi Lokonga departed on permanent deals, while Kiwior joined Porto on a season-long loan on deadline day, linking up with Polish compatriot Jan Bednarek. The Portuguese giants also hold an obligation to buy the Poland international.

However, the 25-year-old has admitted he only found out about the move via Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter). Speaking while on international duty, the defender explained the situation in an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo

"It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal, because I didn't know when it would actually happen," he said. "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 actually be my last. Fabrizio Romano launched the here we go campaign, and I started receiving dozens of messages and calls congratulating me.

"I was starting training. The players looked at it on their phones and asked me why I had equipped myself when it was already closed."

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Romano posted on August 29: "Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto, here we go! Deal agreed with Arsenal on loan with obligation to buy. €2m (£1.7m) loan fee, €17m (£15m) obligation to buy plus add-ons and sell-on clause up to potential fee over €25/€27m (£21/£23m). Kiwior scheduled to fly in next 24h as soon as documents are approved."

Even so, Kiwior continued as usual at Arsenal, with the impression that the well-known influencer seemed more aware of the situation than he did himself. Just 24 hours later, Kiwior officially learned he was bound for Porto, allowing him to begin the formalities of bidding farewell to those at the Emirates.

"I refused to say goodbye there because I still didn't have any information about what might or might not happen,' he added. "[But] the next day, I knew I could say goodbye again.

"I went to the pitch to say goodbye to my teammates and the coach. They set up a farewell tunnel, and it was tough. Not everyone I wanted to say goodbye to was there, so I still had to make a few phone calls."

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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023

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