Jakub Kiwior says uncertainty over his move to Porto meant he was denied the chance of a proper farewell to his Arsenal teammates.
The Poland international signed for the Portuguese side late on deadline day, but only after the Gunners had secured a deal for replacement Piero Hincapie. Both defenders have moved on loan with a view to permanent contracts being finalised next summer.
In a sign of the times, Kiwior revealed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano appeared to have confirmation of the deal before he did, prompting a flood of messages while he was preparing for training at London Colney.
“It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal because I didn’t know when it would actually happen,” the 25-year-old told O Jogo (translated by Sport Witness).
“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 truly be my last.
“Fabrizio Romano announced, ‘here we go’, and I started receiving dozens of messages and calls congratulating me. I was starting training… The players saw it on their phones and asked me why I had put on my kit if it was already closed.
“I refused to say goodbye there because I still didn’t have information about what might or might not happen. The next day I returned, already knowing I could say goodbye.
“I went to the pitch to say goodbye to my teammates and the coach. They set up a farewell tunnel, and it was tough…I didn’t have everyone I wanted to say goodbye to, and I still had to make some phone calls.”
Kiwior made 68 appearances for Arsenal following his arrival from Spezia in January 2023. Having impressed during last season’s run to the Champions League semi-finals, he’s a rare recent example of a player leaving the club while on the up.
Meanwhile, Cristhian Mosquera has spoken to Cadena Ser’s El Larguero about his exit from Valencia.
The Spain under-21 international could have seen out the final year of his contract and left on a free, but instead jumped at the chance to join the Gunners in a deal worth up to €20 million.
Valencia were left disappointed by his rejection of a new deal, and their statement confirming his departure carried a passive-aggressive tone.
“I’ll never speak ill of Valencia because I am a Valencia fan, and it is a club that has given me everything,” he said [translated by Sport Witness].
“I would have liked it to have been a little different, but sometimes in football you have to look out for yourself, and there will be some who understand that and others who don’t. I’m at peace because whenever I wore the Valencia shirt, I gave it my all.”
He added: “I was happy in Valencia, I was happy, and I knew that if I stayed, I would continue to be happy. But I was clear that if I ever had to leave, it wouldn’t be by leaving for free from the club that had given me everything. I wanted to make that gesture for the team.”