Jakub Kiwior has suggested that the media and transfer experts knew more details about his exit from Arsenal than he did.
On transfer deadline day, the defender departed the Emirates Stadium to sign for Porto on an initial loan deal that will become permanent next summer.
Despite impressing during the closing weeks of 2024-25, the Gunners deemed it necessary to part ways with the Poland international once it became clear that Piero Hincapie would be arriving from Bayer Leverkusen.
Kiwior has left the North Londoners having made a total of 68 appearances across a two-and-a-half season stint with the club, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
He will arrive at Porto looking to become a key member of a squad that is aiming to dethrone recent two-time Primeira Liga champions Sporting Lisbon.
Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior pictured on June 10, 2025
Kiwior speaks on Arsenal exit
As quoted by O Jogo, Kiwior has revealed that he was generally left in the dark regarding negotiations between Arsenal and Porto, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano seemingly providing more information than he was receiving.
Kiwior said: "It was difficult to say goodbye to Arsenal, because I didn’t know when it would actually happen.
"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 was training when it (the deal) was already closed. I refused to say goodbye there because I still didn’t have any information about what might or might not happen.
"The next day, I knew I could say goodbye again. I went to the pitch to say goodbye to my teammates and the coach (Mikel Arteta).
“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.”
Arsenal's Jakub Kiwior pictured on September 19, 2024
What next for Kiwior?
Kiwior featured for Poland in a 1-1 draw with Netherlands on Thursday night and has now turned his attention to another World Cup qualifier against Gibraltar.
He may have to bide his time for a first start for Porto given that his new club have won each of their opening four Primeira Liga fixtures and conceded just one goal.
Porto are next in action when they host Nacional on September 13.
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