Arsenal star reveals he found out about transfer through viral social media post

Jakub Kiwior, who was loaned from Arsenal to FC Porto, has revealed that he discovered his transfer through a viral social media post.

Arsenal had a busy summer transfer window, bringing in eight new signings, including Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapie. Players who were no longer needed were also moved on, either permanently or on loan.

Nuno Tavares, Marquinhos and Albert Sambi Lokonga left on permanent deals, while Kiwior joined Porto on a season-long loan on deadline day, teaming up with fellow Pole Jan Bednarek. The Portuguese heavyweights also have an obligation to purchase the Polish international.

However, the 25-year-old confessed that he only learned about the move via Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter). While on international duty, the defender detailed the situation in an interview with Portuguese newspaper O Jogo.

"It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal, because I didn't know when it would actually happen," he said. "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 29 August: "Jakub Kiwior to FC Porto, here we go! Deal agreed with Arsenal on loan with obligation to buy. €2m (£1.7m) loan fee, €17m (£15m) obligation to buy plus add-ons and sell-on clause up to potential fee over €25/€27m (£21m/£23m). Kiwior scheduled to fly in next 24h as soon as documents are approved."

Despite this, Kiwior carried on as normal at Arsenal, seemingly less informed about his own situation than the well-known influencer. Just a day later, Kiwior officially found out he was heading for Porto, allowing him to start saying his goodbyes 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.

"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."