Viktor Gyokeres shows true colours after going on strike and being forced to pay £306K fine

Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres showed his moral fibre by thanking Sporting CP for a memorable last season at the club despite being slapped with a £306,000 fine . The former Brighton and Coventry frontman returned to England in July after the Gunners agreed a package worth an initial £55million for his signature.

Mikel Arteta 's side completed their move after Gyokeres went to great lengths to get the transfer over the line. This included effectively going on strike after failing to show up for Sporting's pre-season preparations , resulting in him being docked pay for the month of July.

But Gyokeres saw beyond any tensions to thank Sporting and their fans after he was named the Primeira Liga's 2024/25 Player of the Year on Wednesday. He finished as top scorer in Portugal's top flight for the second time in as many seasons to keep the league title in Lisbon, having also helped the Lions to victory in the Taca de Portugal final.

"I am really honoured to receive this amazing award," said the Swede in his video address to the fans and his former club. "Unfortunately, I cannot be there in person to receive it, but I would like to thank the players, the staff, everyone at the club and the Sporting fans who made this possible with their support during the season.

"It was an unforgettable season, we won both the Primeira Liga and the cup. Thank you all, and congratulations to the other nominees and winners. Thank you to those who voted for me. I love you all."

Gyokeres scored 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, converting 54 of those in just 52 games last term. He also racked up 14 assists in all competitions last season and is already off the mark for Arsenal following a brace against Leeds in August .

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It speaks to the player's character that, despite a less-than-harmonious exit from Sporting, his wish was to focus on all the good they achieved together. One can understand why, given Gyokeres altered his career trajectory in Portugal, transforming from a Championship striker to one of Europe's hottest talents.

One of Gyokeres' representatives, Jonathan Chalkias, works alongside Hasan Cetinkaya to handle the forward's affairs. And it was his suggestion that Sporting's former director, Hugo Viana - who left the club to join Manchester City in June - had an agreement with Gyokeres to let him join Arsenal, only for that arrangement to become muddied following his exit .

"It was a mess. There was a gentleman’s agreement with the previous sporting director," he told Swedish network WTV. "If Hugo Viana were still at Sporting, the deal would have been done in an hour. Everything was written; we didn’t have time to start a legal battle.

"I don’t understand how a player who scored so many goals and won three trophies didn’t deserve more respect. The sacrifices we made were the turning point for the deal to happen. They offered Gyokeres to Real Madrid , they even made headlines with Man United, but there was a commitment with Arsenal."

Therefore, Gyokeres will be considered by some to have left Lisbon with a mixed reputation after pushing for his transfer. The club responded in kind by fining their ex-poacher, but the player rose above that to demonstrate his class following one last reward from his time in Portugal.

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