(Football news) Premier League leaders Arsenal have confirmed the signing of 22 year old defender Jakub Kiwior on a fee of €25 million ($27 million). The player has made 43 appearances in Italy’s top division after joining Spezia from Slovakia’s MSK Zilina in the summer of 2021. He went on to make his senior international debut for Poland in June 2022 and started all four games for his country at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before being eliminated in the Round of 16 by France. 

“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 international level with Poland. 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.” – Arsenal manager Mikel Areteta said in a statement.

“We’re delighted to have completed the signing of Jakub Kiwior. He’s a young talent who we’ve been monitoring for a while now. We are now all looking forward to working with Jakub and seeing his continued development with us. We welcome Jakub to Arsenal.” – Arsenal Sporting Director Edu

Kiwior spent his youth career at Polish club GKS Tychy before moving to Belgian side Anderlecht. He then went to Slovakian side FK Železiarne Podbrezová as an 18 year old, spending a season there before a transfer to MSK Zilina, where he made 46 appearances. His performances at the Slovakian club as a left-sided central defender earned him a move to Serie A club Spezia Calcio where he cemented his place in the starting lineup. He will be Arsenal’s second signing of the January window following Leandro Trossard’s arrival from Brighton. The player could prove to be an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s plan to win the Premier League title this season.

Also read: Premier League club Everton sack Frank Lampard as relegation fears grow