Arsenal have completed the signing of Poland defender Jakub Kiwior from Spezia in a deal worth £20m.
The 22-year-old, who has signed a four-and-a-half deal with the option of a further year at the Emirates Stadium, becomes the Premier League leaders’ second signing this January after the arrival of Leandro Trossard from Brighton for £27m.
Kiwior has been capped nine times by Poland and started all four of their games at the World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal were looking for a left-sided central defender, with Kiwior expected to provide competition for Gabriel.
Gunners sporting director Edu said: “We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Jakub Kiwior. He’s a young talent who we’ve been monitoring for a while now. We are now all looking forward to working with Jakub and seeing his continued development with us. We welcome Jakub to Arsenal.”
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.”
Kiwior was present at the Emirates Stadium for Arsenal’s 3-2 victory over Manchester United on Super Sunday, even though his arrival at the club was not yet announced.
Analysis: Arsenal’s good window continues
Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
“Arsenal have had a very good window, they’ve got exactly what Mikel Arteta has asked for, and it’s always a good sign when you feel a deal is not right to walk away from it.
“I believe that’s what happened as far as (Mykhailo) Mudryk was concerned, they weren’t willing to structure the deal exactly how Shakhtar wanted, and then Chelsea agreed to do so. Arsenal didn’t lick their wounds, a couple of days later they moved onto one of their other targets, and they saved a lot of money getting Leandro Trossard.
“Maybe that money can go towards signing someone like Declan Rice in the summer as well. Yes, in the long term Mudryk may be one who got away, but I don’t think missing out on him will define their season.”
Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window opened on Sunday January 1, 2023 and closes at 11pm in England and midnight in Scotland on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
