Jakub Kiwior joins Arsenal on a long-term contract

The Gunners have confirmed Jakub Kiwior as the club’s second signing in January 

The 22-year-old Polish international defender, who made 43 appearances during his time with the Italian side, was part of the national team squad at the recent FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Kiwior spent his youth career at Polish club GKS Tychy and then in Belgium with Anderlecht before moving to Slovakian side FK Zeleziarne Podbrezova as an 18-year-old.

After spending a season there, he moved to MSK Zilina where he made 46 appearances during his two seasons with the Slovakian club.

While also playing in the Anderlecht youth academy for a number of years, he has been deployed all across midfield in his senior career, with particularly impressive stints in a holding role at Spezia, before being shifted to play on the left of a back three this season.

During his time in Italy, Jakub made his full international debut and has now made nine appearances for Poland.

Arsenal has confirmed the signing of Jakub Kiwior joining from Spezia Jakub for a fee of £ 17.5 million with a potential further £ 3.5 million in add-ons. The 22-year-old becomes the second arrival of the January transfer window following Leandro Trossard who joined from Brighton last week.

His contract will last until 2027 with the option to extend for a further year. Kiwior has spent the last few seasons in Serie A playing both as a holding midfielder and on the left of a back three which certainly could have prompted Mikel Arteta and Edu to sign him.

Speaking on his arrival, Arteta said: “It’s great that Jakub is joining us. He’s a young versatile defender who has shown huge potential and qualities with Spezia in Serie A, and also at the international level with Poland,” he told Arsenal’s club website. 

“Jakub is a player who will give us strength and quality to our defensive unit. We welcome Jakub and his family to Arsenal and look forward to working with him.”

Unlike the arrival of Leandro Trossard, Arsenal will not face a similar problem regarding Kiwior when registering his involvement as the Gunners’ next game is not until Friday evening when they take on title rivals Manchester City. The two clubs are yet to face off this season and their FA Cup fourth-round clash at Etihad Stadium is set to be the first meeting of three in the final five months of the season.

As revealed in the club’s official statement confirming his arrival, Kiwior is set to join up with his teammates immediately and will therefore be available to be picked in Arteta’s squad for the clash against Pep Guardiola’s side.

However, the Spezia boss was frustrated that Arsenal was able to sign Kiwior.

“I am very happy for Kiwior and this opportunity he created for himself. It is also the biggest sale in Spezia’s history and I imagine the club is happy with that too,” the Italian said in a press conference. “However, I cannot be happy with it. There are coaches who constantly complain and ask for reinforcements, that is not me but I am often in a situation where my clubs sell at a big profit.

“That doesn’t mean the players who arrive to replace them are worse, they are merely less ready to deliver. It is frustrating for a coach, as when you work to build them up, you then don’t get to enjoy the fruits of your labor, as they are sold and you press the reset button.”

Kiwior will wear the No. 15 shirt for Arsenal last worn by Ainsley Maitland-Niles who is currently on loan at Southampton.