LONDON (AP) 鈥� Arsenal completed the signing of Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimar茫es from Newcastle on Saturday.
The Premier League champion paid a reported 75 million pounds ($101 million) for Guimar茫es, who signed a long-term deal at the Emirates.
鈥淚鈥檓 very excited,鈥� Guimar茫es said. 鈥淚鈥檓 at the point of my life where I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I鈥檓 in the right place to do it.”
Newcastle did not want to sell its captain, but the 28-year-old Guimar茫es had told the club he wanted to leave.
Newcastle signed Guimar茫es from Ligue 1 club Lyon in January 2022 and he swiftly established himself as a talisman for the team, as well as one of the most influential midfielders in the Premier League.
Guimar茫es helped Newcastle win the English League Cup in 2025 鈥� the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years 鈥� and also played a pivotal role in the team twice qualifying for the Champions League.
He joins an Arsenal midfield anchored by Declan Rice as the team bids for back-to-back Premier League titles.
Guimar茫es has made 48 appearances for Brazil, including at the recent World Cup. He won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
鈥淚t鈥檚 massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. I want to win more trophies in my career, and I think I鈥檓 in the right place, at my peak at 28 years old,” Guimar茫es said.
鈥淚 want to put my name in the club history. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.”
Guimar茫es’ departure is a further blow to Newcastle after star players and also left during this transfer window. as coach at the end of last month after nearly five years in charge.
Howe was replaced by .
鈥淭his is one of the toughest decisions of my life,” Guimar茫es said in a statement on Newcastle’s website. “When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. I fell in love with this place. I really mean that.
鈥淭his move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family. I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.鈥�
Guimar茫es will continue his tradition of wearing shirt number 39 鈥� the dispatch number of his father鈥檚 taxi in Rio de Janeiro.
鈥淚t means everything to me. I have the tattoo of the 39 as well,” Guimar茫es said. “My father was a taxi driver in Brazil for more than 20 years. The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything.
鈥淪o when I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: 鈥楴o, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.鈥�”
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