Latest news with #No.14
Metro
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Metro
Kai Rooney copies Gyokeres' celebration after Arsenal beat Man Utd to signing
The ink on Viktor Gyokeres' contract may barely be dry following the striker's arrival from Arsenal, but it's clear his iconic celebration is already catching on amongst young fans in this country. The Gunners put an end to months of speculation as they announced that they had captured Gyokeres, 27, for a fee believed to be in the region of £55m – plus £8.5m in add-ons – at the weekend. The Sweden international has signed a five-year deal at the Emirates and takes over the No.14 shirt in north London, famously worn by club legend Thierry Henry. Having joined up with Mikel Arteta's squad in Singapore on Sunday, Gyokeres could have the perfect opportunity to make an immediate impression in the next match of Arsenal's pre-tour against Tottenham on Thursday. While Arteta has refused to confirm whether or not Gyokeres will be involved, the attacker will surely be itching to get on the field against Arsenal's bitter rivals and, better still, perform his trademark goal celebration – thought to be a nod to Bane, Batman's nemesis in The Dark Knight Rises. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. As last season wore on, Sporting fans reveled in performing the hands-over-the-face gesture whenever Gyokeres found the back of the net, which happened rather a lot, with the forward scoring 54 goals in 52 games. And while Manchester United's failed pursuit of Gyokeres was well-documented, it didn't stop Kai Rooney, son of Wayne, from copying the celebration as the Red Devils' Under-16 team ran out 3-0 winners over West Cork Academy on Monday. Rooney, 15, who bears a frightening resemblance to his old man when in full flow, provided the assist for Sam O'Brien's opening goal before doubling United's advantage from the penalty spot just before half-time. Having safely converted his effort from 12 yards, the teenager was pictured jogging towards the touchline before locking both of his hands in front of his mouth in tribute to Arsenal's new addition. Bassirou Nkoto added a brilliant third in the second half to put United out of sight in the one-sided SuperCupNI contest, where United are also grouped with Rangers and Co Tyrone. Speaking to Arsenal's official website after signing on the dotted line, Gyokeres explained how his celebration first came about. 'Before I got it, my friends were always saying to me to find my own celebration because they were very tired of me doing all kinds of stuff when I was celebrating,' the Swede said. 'I had some time off. We went on vacation together. 'During that time, we came up with it after a while. We thought it looked good and I started doing it straightaway. It felt even better on the pitch.' Back in June 2024, Gyokeres appeared to confirm the celebrations true origins with a post on his Instagram page. 'Nobody cared until I put on the mask,' the message read, a clear nod to the character Bane in Christopher Nolan's popular movie series. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Manchester United tipped to sign another hugely promising Arsenal youngster by former coach MORE: Man Utd eyeing up two strikers after giving up on £80m Chelsea transfer target MORE: Arsenal want to make Eberechi Eze their seventh summer signing – on one condition
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Marcus Rashford's humiliating Barcelona debut compounded by painful Michael Carrick remark
Marcus Rashford had a Barcelona debut to forget after he was hooked just over half an hour after coming on - a bow that couldn't have been more different to his first Manchester United game Marcus Rashford's humiliating debut for Barcelona comes almost 10 years after his first start for Manchester United, after which he was hailed as priceless by former team-mate Michael Carrick. Rashford joined the La Liga champions last week on a season-long loan move after becoming surplus to requirements under Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford. After kicking off life in Catalonia by training with his new team-mates, Rashford then flew out on the club's pre-season tour of Japan. A 3-1 victory over J-League side Vissel Kobe followed in what was his first match for the club. However, it was an embarrassing baptism for Rashford, who came on at half-time before being replaced in just the 78th minute. His low-key bow for Barca is worlds apart from when former United star Carrick gushed over Rashford's senior debut for his boyhood club in February 2016. Rashford was only 18 when he was brought into the United starting line-up against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League as a last-minute replacement for the injured Anthony Martial. He quickly announced himself to the world as he scored twice in a 5-1 United win. Afterwards, in what is a far cry from the reaction to his Barca debut, Carrick lauded Rashford. "It's great. You can't put a price on that for the younger lads, especially Marcus. It's incredible and brings back memories for me, when I made my debut," Carrick told MUTV. "It's what football's all about, and what this club has been about for so long. For a local lad to do that and come through the system like that, I'm delighted for him." After his first minutes for Barcelona, manager Hansi Flick explained why the 27-year-old came off just over half an hour after coming on. "He's [a] week behind the others," Flick said. "He hasn't been training as much with the ball, and we want to look after him. It was a very good match, a good test for us. The first 30 minutes were fantastic. "After that we lost a bit of control, but the second half was also very good. I'm pleased. What they do with the ball, how they pressed us, it's really interesting. You can tell they have a clear idea, and it's similar to ours." Rashford hadn't played for United since December 2024 after being dropped by Amorin. He spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Aston Villa. Barca have the option to make Rashford's deal permanent for £26million next summer after he was handed the No. 14 shirt, previously worn by Thierry Henry at the club. Since arriving, he has claimed that his new residence feels like home. "I'm very excited," Rashford told Barcelona's YouTube channel upon his unveiling. "It's a club where people's dreams come true, they win big prizes. What the club stands for means a lot for me. "I feel like I'm at home and a big factor in my choice to come here is because it is a family place and a good place for good players to showcase their skills. Another factor is because the conversations I had with [Hansi Flick] were positive. "What he did last season was terrific. To lead such a young team to a very successful season and come back to pre-season and still want to do more, it shows me everything I thought I knew about the club and it's everything I wished. I'm eager to learn the Barcelona way." Next up for Barcelona is a friendly against Seoul in the South Korean capital on Thursday. Rashford will have a reunion with ex-United team-mate Jesse Lingard, who captains the K-League side.
Metro
3 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Viktor Gyokeres reveals why he rejected Man Utd to join Arsenal
Viktor Gyokeres has revealed that he wanted to join Arsenal ahead of Manchester United after facing Mikel Arteta's side in the Champions League last season. Arsenal have finally completed their move to sign the striker from Sporting CP after agreeing a deal worth €63.5m (£54.8m) up front, plus €10m (£8.6m) in add-ons. Gyokeres, who travelled to London on Friday and completed his medical on Saturday, has signed a five-year contract with the Gunners and will wear the iconic No.14 shirt. The 27-year-old had also attracted interest from Manchester United and could have linked back up with Ruben Amorim following their time together at Sporting. However, Gyokeres turned down United's approach and was adamant about joining Arsenal after going on strike at Sporting earlier this month. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Gyokeres will now his new Arsenal teammates in Singapore for their pre-season tour of the Far East. 'I just felt that it was the right club for me,' Gyokeres said in an interview with 'What I heard from Mikel and Andrea when I was speaking with them, and just what I've seen in the past years, how they've been playing football. 'When I was playing against Arsenal last season, I could really feel it was a very strong team and very difficult to play against. 'That made me choose Arsenal, and of course all the history the club has and the massive fanbase. 'It's been amazing to see all the support that they have already given me before I even arrived. That's what it's all about. It's going to be very nice to see them in the stadiums as well.' Gyokeres also insists he has 'improved a lot' since struggling to make an impact at Brighton earlier in his career. 'To be a part of this club and to score in this kit and with this badge in front of all the supporters, I can't wait. It will be an amazing feeling,' Gyokeres said. 'I started here [in England], it feels like a long time ago. I think I've improved a lot since then. Now I want to prove myself for real and perform together with the team. 'It's a big honour to play for your country, and then to score goals for them is amazing. When I played at Sporting, I scored a few goals in the Champions League so I feel that I can be on that level as well. More Trending 'Now to come here to a club on Arsenal's level, I think it's going to help me perform even better with all the amazing players in this team. I'm really excited to get going.' After announcing their deal to sign Gyokeres on Saturday evening, Arteta said: 'We're absolutely delighted to welcome Viktor Gyokeres to the club. The consistency he has shown in his performances and availability have been outstanding, and his goal contributions speak for themselves. 'Viktor has so many qualities. He is a quick and powerful presence up front, with incredible goalscoring numbers at club and international levels. He brings a clinical edge with a high conversion rate of chances into goals, with his intelligent movement in the box making him a constant threat. 'We're excited about what Viktor brings to our squad and are looking forward to start working with him.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Newcastle United plot move for £50m Chelsea striker to replace Alexander Isak MORE: Everton make surprise £31m offer for Chelsea and Liverpool transfer target MORE: Arsenal star agrees shock exit ahead of Viktor Gyokeres' £63m arrival
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Viktor Gyokeres to take iconic Arsenal shirt number as £63.7m transfer finally agreed
Viktor Gyokeres will ditch the No.9 shirt he wears at Sporting Lisbon when he completes his £63.7million transfer to Arsenal, where he has chosen a famous number Viktor Gyokeres will be stepping into the shoes of Thierry Henry when he completes his Arsenal transfer. After weeks of negotiations, Sporting Lisbon and Arsenal have finally agreed a deal over the striker, who will undergo a medical on Saturday. Gyokeres is joining the Gunners for £55million plus £8.7m in add-ons, having agreed a five-year deal with Mikel Arteta 's side. He will become the centre-forward the team has craved during their three successive second-place finishes in the Premier League. It has been 12 days since the two clubs struck an agreement over the top line transfer figure, but talks have continued over the structure of the deal. Finally, everything is in place and Gyokeres has already picked his shirt number. The 27-year-old is used to talisman status, having worn the No.9 shirt and scored 54 goals in 52 games for Sporting last season as they won the domestic double. And he certainly doesn't appear worried about the expectations on his shoulders in north. London having selected the No.14 shirt at his new club. That number last belonged to Eddie Nketiah, who joined Crystal Palace in a deal worth a potential £30m last summer. It has been empty since then, having previously belonged to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Theo Walcott. Undoubtedly, though, the shirt is most associated with Henry, who had No.14 on his back for the entirety of his eight years at Arsenal, from 1999 to 2007. The Frenchman scored 228 goals in all competitions for the Gunners and is widely regarded as the best player in the club's history, having helped them win two Premier League titles and three FA Cups under Arsene Wenger. Once he has completed his medical, Gyokeres - who has only ever previously worn No.14 during a loan spell at Swansea in 2020/21 - is due to fly out to Singapore to join up with his new team-mates. But intriguingly, his competitive debut for Arsenal is likely to come against Manchester United at the start of the Premier League season on August 17, which is Henry's birthday. No.14 has also previously been worn by Arsenal stalwarts like Ray Parlour and Martin Keown, as well as Kevin Campbell, Perry Groves, David O'Leary and Anders Limpar. Fellow Swede Limpar knows Gyokeres well from their time together at Brommapojkarna when he was younger and is convinced he will be a hit. 'I know that pretty much all the Arsenal players are top professionals,' he told 'I've been to the training ground, spoken to Arteta. He's Mr 100 per cent professional. And that's what you get from Viktor. 'He's such a prospect when it comes to looking after himself, no scandals, he is a hell of a player. He's a No.9, and can sniff a goal chance. He's going to be the perfect icing on the cake at Arsenal. 'And I don't have to look down on [Kai] Havertz, or [Gabriel] Jesus. But bringing in Viktor at this moment, at his best age and form. He's a goalscoring machine and with all the supply from the wings and from [Martin] Odegaard, he's going to score 25 goals.'
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Viktor Gyokeres number at Arsenal revealed: Medical booked for Saturday ahead of £63.7m move
Arsenal are on the brink of finalising a deal for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres, with the Sweden international set to undergo a medical this weekend. The north London club have reached an agreement with Sporting worth £63.7 million, including £8.7m in add-ons, as reported by The Athletic's David Ornstein. The move follows weeks of negotiations over the payment structure, with both sides now understood to have settled the final terms after a formal proposal was submitted on Tuesday night. 🚨 Arsenal reach total agreement with Sporting Lisbon to sign Viktor Gyokeres. #SportingCP grant 27yo striker permission to travel; medical scheduled for Saturday. Sweden international expected to wear iconic No14 shirt as new #AFC front man @TheAthleticFC — David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) July 25, 2025 Gyökeres, 27, has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract and is expected to wear the No. 14 shirt, famously worn by Thierry Henry. Should the medical proceed without complications, he will become Arsenal's sixth signing of the summer. The former Coventry City striker enjoyed a prolific spell in Portugal, scoring 97 goals and recording 28 assists across 102 appearances for Sporting. He also won back-to-back Primeira Liga titles and the Taça de Portugal before pushing for a return to England. Arsenal had initially considered alternatives, including RB Leipzig's Benjamin Šeško, but chose not to pursue that option due to financial considerations. Manchester United also showed interest, but Gyökeres is said to have favoured Arsenal following direct talks with manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. 🚨✈️ Viktor Gyökeres has just received written authorization from Sporting to undergo medical at Arsenal! Medical will take place tomorrow, on Saturday with Swedish striker expected in London today. Saga over. ❤️🤍🇸🇪 — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 25, 2025 The Gunners are hopeful the deal will be completed in time for Gyökeres to join the squad on their pre-season tour in Asia. Arsenal face AC Milan on Wednesday, followed by matches against Newcastle United in Singapore and Tottenham Hotspur in Hong Kong on July 31, as reported by The Mirror. His arrival would mark the club's first traditional striker signing since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in 2018. Gyökeres will join Cristhian Mosquera, Martín Zubimendi, Noni Madueke, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Christian Nørgaard among Arsenal's summer additions.
