Arsenal confirm permanent transfer of Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto via loan watch roundup
Deal announced through an atypical club website post rather than a dedicated statement, capping a two-and-a-half-year tenure for the defender.
Arsenal have officially confirmed the permanent transfer of defender Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto, a move that marks the conclusion of his time at the Emirates Stadium. The transaction was formalised after the Portuguese club activated their option to buy, securing the player on a long-term contract that extends until 2030. This development represents the finalisation of summer transfer business for the Gunners, prompted by Porto's early triumph in the Liga Portugal title race.
The announcement of the permanent deal arrived via an unusual channel, appearing within a loan watch roundup post on the Arsenal website rather than through a dedicated news article or social media statement. This method of communication contrasts with the standard protocol typically employed by the club for significant personnel changes. The confirmation noted that the move became permanent following the Dragao's victory in the league last weekend, linking the administrative process directly to the club's sporting success.
Financially, the structure of the agreement involves a fixed fee of €17m alongside €5m in potential add-ons. Arsenal retain a fixed €2m sell-on clause, which ensures the club receives an additional payment regardless of the future sale price should Porto decide to transfer Kiwior again. The total maximum value of the deal to Arsenal is calculated at €26m, a figure that incorporates a €2m loan fee received from Porto during the previous summer.
Kiwior's tenure at the club began in 2023 when he joined the Gunners for a fee of €20m. During his two-and-a-half seasons in north London, the defender made 68 appearances and contributed to the team's victory in the Community Shield. His subsequent loan spell in Portugal proved productive, with the player making 38 appearances for Porto during the 2025/26 campaign so far, cementing his status as a key figure in their title-winning squad.
The timing of the permanent switch coincides with Porto's decision to begin their summer holidays after wrapping up the league title with two games remaining. The club's early conclusion of the campaign has allowed them to prioritise finalising their squad structure, ensuring that Kiwior remains part of their long-term plans. Arsenal's response to the situation was swift, breaking their silence on the morning of the announcement to align with the Portuguese champions' news cycle.
While the specifics of the €5m in potential add-ons remain unbroken down in the source material, the fixed nature of the initial fee and the sell-on clause provides clear parameters for the financial settlement. The move underscores the strategic alignment between the two clubs, with Porto securing a proven defender and Arsenal successfully offloading a squad member to fund future recruitment.
