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| Swedish striker Viktor Jukric |
Arsenal strengthens its attacking line with a heavyweight deal
English Premier League club Arsenal announced on Saturday the signing of Swedish striker Victor Jukric on a five-year deal from Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal did not disclose financial details of the deal, but British media reported that the team agreed to pay £55 million ($73.89 million) plus approximately £8 million in add-ons for the 27-year-old.
"We are absolutely delighted to welcome Victor Jukric to the club. He has shown exceptional consistency in his performances, and his goal-scoring contribution speaks for itself," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said in a statement.
Signing a striker was a priority for Arsenal in the summer transfer window, as Arteta sought to bolster a squad capable of challenging for the Premier League title after finishing second in the last three seasons.
Arsenal lacked a proven striker for much of last season, finishing 10 points behind defending champions Liverpool and scoring 17 fewer goals.
Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz alternated as the team's attacking duo before injuries sidelined them in January and February, with midfielder Mikel Moreno replacing them in the latter stages of the season.
Jukric joined Sporting from Coventry City for around £20 million in 2023.
Since then, he has scored 97 goals and provided 28 assists in 102 appearances over two seasons with the Lisbon-based club.
Jukric contributed to Sporting's domestic double last season, scoring 54 goals in 52 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League.
The Swedish international, who had a brief spell at Brighton & Hove Albion, will wear the number 14 shirt and will join the squad during their pre-season tour of Asia.
Ukrish is Arsenal's fifth signing of the summer transfer window, following winger Noni Madueke, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, and midfielders Christian Nørgaard and Martin Zubimendi.
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