Porto Trigger €22m Buy Option to Permanently Sign Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal

Key facts

• Porto triggered the purchase option in Kiwior's loan agreement, paying a fixed €17m plus up to €5m in add-ons.
• Kiwior signed a contract valid until June 2030 with a €70m release clause.
• He made 38 appearances across all competitions this season, playing 3,022 minutes and contributing two assists.
• Porto won the Liga Portugal title with two games to spare after a 1-0 victory over Alverca on Sunday.
• Arsenal retain a €2m sell-on clause from any future transfer of the player.
• Kiwior originally joined Arsenal from Spezia Calcio for £16.7m in January 2023, making 68 appearances for the London club.

Title Triumph Triggers Permanent Deal

FC Porto have officially activated the purchase option in Jakub Kiwior's loan agreement, securing the Poland international from Arsenal on a permanent basis. The move comes days after the defender helped Porto clinch their first Liga Portugal title in four years with a 1-0 win over Alverca on Sunday night. The Portuguese giants needed all three points to seal the championship with two games to spare. Kiwior played half of that decisive match, anchoring a defensive unit that has conceded just 15 goals all campaign.

Deal Structure and Financial Details

According to an official statement released by Porto on Monday, the club triggered the purchase clause for a fixed fee of €17 million (£14.5m), plus a variable component that may reach €5 million (£4.3m) subject to the achievement of certain objectives. The total package could therefore reach €22 million (£19m). Kiwior originally joined Porto on loan for a £1.7 million fee. Arsenal have ensured they retain a financial interest in the player, with a clause stating: "Arsenal FC has retained a fixed amount of €2 million from any future transfer of the player."

Kiwior's Journey from Spezia to Porto

The 26-year-old defender made 68 appearances for Arsenal after joining from Spezia Calcio for £16.7m in January 2023. During his time in North London, he contributed to the Gunners' defensive efforts but struggled for consistent game time. At Porto, Kiwior has established himself as a vital component of the backline, racking up 38 appearances and 3,022 minutes across all competitions this season. His two assists and solid defensive performances played a pivotal role in the club's title success.

Long-Term Commitment with High Release Clause

To protect their investment, Porto have locked Kiwior down on a massive contract. The club announced that they signed the Poland international to a "contract valid until June 2030, with a release clause set at €70 million (£60m)." This long-term commitment provides stability for Porto as they prepare for next season's Champions League campaign. Kiwior will now focus on anchoring the backline and helping the club mount sustained challenges for both domestic honours and continental glory.

Arsenal's Loan Network: Mixed Fortunes Across Europe

While Kiwior's move became permanent, other Arsenal loanees experienced varied outcomes over the weekend. Fabio Vieira scored a second-half winner for Hamburg as they mathematically sealed Bundesliga safety with a 2-1 victory away at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Portuguese midfielder played the whole game and struck the decisive goal just before the hour mark. Reiss Nelson claimed an assist for Brentford in a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United, while Ethan Nwaneri was an unused substitute as Marseille slipped to seventh after a 3-0 defeat at Nantes. In Sweden, Charles Sagoe Jr set up all four of Kalmar's goals across two matches, though his side lost 3-2 to leaders Sirius.

What Comes Next for Porto and Kiwior

With his future and the Portuguese league title firmly secured, Kiwior will now prepare for Porto's remaining fixtures: an away match against AFS next week, followed by the season finale at home to Santa Clara on May 17. Beyond that, the focus shifts to the Champions League, where Porto will aim to build on their domestic success. For Arsenal, the €17m guaranteed fee represents a modest profit on their initial £16.7m investment, with potential for further income through the sell-on clause. The deal allows the Gunners to offload a player who had fallen down the pecking order while retaining a stake in his future development.

The bottom line

• Porto paid up to €22m to permanently sign Jakub Kiwior from Arsenal after triggering his loan buy option.
• Kiwior signed a four-year contract until 2030 with a €70m release clause.
• The Polish defender played a key role in Porto's first Liga Portugal title in four years, making 38 appearances this season.
• Arsenal retain a €2m sell-on clause from any future transfer of Kiwior.
• Several other Arsenal loanees had notable performances, including Fabio Vieira's winner for Hamburg and Charles Sagoe Jr's four assists in two games for Kalmar.