An former Arsenal[1] star who left the club in the summer has revealed he learned of his exit via a viral social media post.
It was a busy summer of business for the Gunners, who are looking to finally get the better of their title rivals and win the Premier League[2] after coming third three years in a row.
They signed a number of players to try and help bolster their chances of that happening, including the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze[3] and Martin Zubimendi.
There were also some outgoings, however. Though no major fees were recouped from the departures, the likes of Nuno Tavares[4] and Marquinhos left on permanent bases in a summer of change for the squad.
One player, though, left late on in the window and only found out about the move via X. That player is defender Jakub Kiwior, who joined FC Porto on deadline day.
Now, the 25-year-old is away on international duty with Poland, and has given a tell-all interview in which he revealed it was reporter Fabrizio Romano who seemingly indirectly told him of the news he would be swapping clubs with a post online.
Former Arsenal star Jakub Kiwior (left) has revealed he found out of his summer Gunners exit via social media
Kiwior was one of the players that Arsenal shipped out in the summer transfer window
‘It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal, because I didn’t know when it would actually happen,’ he told Ojogo[5]. ‘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.’
Romano posted on August 29: ‘Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto, here we go! Deal agreed with Arsenal on loan with obligation to buy. €2m loan fee, €17m obligation to buy plus add-ons and sell-on clause up to potential fee over €25/27m.
‘Kiwior scheduled to fly in next 24h as soon as documents are approved.’
Despite that, Kiwior carried on as normal at Arsenal, with it appearing the famous influencer was more clued up than he himself.
It was only 24 hours later that Kiwior officially found out he would be heading to Porto, and he could proceed with the formalities of saying goodbye 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.
Fabrizio Romano shared a report of the transfer online, three days before it was confirmed
‘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.’
References
- ^ Arsenal (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Premier League (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Eberechi Eze (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Nuno Tavares (www.dailymail.co.uk)
- ^ Ojogo (ojogo.pt)