AFCON 2025
Arsenal on Saturday announced the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, ending a transfer saga that stretched back years and finally landing the club a midfielder they first tracked before his move from Athletico Paranaense to Lyon in 2020. The Brazilian has signed a four-year contract with a further one-year option, keeping him at the Emirates until at least 2030, in a deal reportedly worth £75 million.
Guimaraes arrives as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished midfielders after four and a half seasons at St James’ Park, where he made close to 200 appearances and rose to become Newcastle’s captain. He will wear the number 39 shirt at Arsenal, continuing the number he has worn for most of his career, and has already joined up with his new teammates.
Sporting director Andrea Berta welcomed the 28-year-old, praising his mentality and leadership qualities. “Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad,” Berta said. “With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. He can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.”
Berta added that Guimaraes’ arrival will give manager Mikel Arteta more room to develop his playing style while sharpening internal competition for places, something he described as essential for a club aiming to win major trophies.
Guimaraes himself spoke of his excitement at the move, revealing that conversations with Berta and Arteta convinced him it was time for a new challenge. “I feel amazing. I’m glad for the opportunity,” he said. “I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think being an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life.”
The move reunites Guimaraes with a club that had long admired him, and slots him into an Arsenal midfield built around Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, who looked fatigued by the end of last season. Arsenal are the reigning Premier League champions after ending a 22-year wait for the title, and the addition of Guimaraes signals their intent to strengthen and defend their crown.
The Brazilian becomes Arsenal’s fourth major signing of the summer, following the arrivals of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, Illan Meslier on a free transfer from Leeds United, and the permanent capture of Piero Hincapié after his loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen. For Newcastle, the sale takes their summer player sales past £240 million, with the club’s hierarchy explaining the decision to let their captain leave after he made his desire to move clear.
