Viktor Gyokeres has smashed Arsenal’s shirt sales record since his move from Sporting Lisbon was confirmed.

Following weeks of arduous negotiations, the Gunners at last officially announced the Swede as an Arsenal player on Saturday in a deal worth £64million.

The news sent fans into a frenzy, with an announcement video adding to such excitement as it was revealed Arsenal’s new frontman will wear the iconic No 14 shirt, previously donned by club icon Thierry Henry.

It was thought that Gyokeres would have preferred No 9 – currently Gabriel Jesus’ number – but later expressed his desire to follow in the Frenchman’s footsteps.

To mark his much-anticipated arrival, Arsenal offered to print Gyokeres’ name and number on next season’s shirts for free, a service which would usually cost £16.

And the promotional move has been met by a wave of enthusiasm, with Arsenal fans flocking to the club store and website to get their free Gyokeres printing before the deadline on Thursday.

The huge wave of fans clambering to secure their shirt even caused the official Arsenal website to crash, with early figures suggesting that ‘No 14 Gyokeres’ sales have eclipsed those of any signing in recent history.

The staggering figures will only grow before the promotional offer comes to an end tomorrow, with thousands more fans likely to take advantage of the rare freebie.

Before Gyokeres’ signing, fan-favourites Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard had been the most popular names on supporters’ jerseys.

Since Myles Lewis-Skelly shot onto the scene, the youngster has also been a common choice with fans, perhaps thanks to the fact he dons No 49, marking the number of games Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles went without losing.

Arsenal’s longing for a proper striker to lead the line at The Emirates has been well discussed, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus struggling to fulfill such a role.

It’s hoped that the Gunners have finally found their man, with Gyokeres making the move to north London after firing home a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting Lisbon.

His form made him one of, if not the most in-demand striker in Europe, with Arsenal fending off competition from Manchester United for the powerful attacker’s signature.

Manager Mikel Arteta said on Saturday: ‘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.”

Luis Diaz said he “fulfilled his duty” at Liverpool after completing a £65.5m move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

The Colombia international has signed a four-year deal with the German club to bring his three-and-a-half-year stay at Anfield to an end.

The 28-year-old was left out of Liverpool’s pre-season match against AC Milan on Saturday because of speculation over his future.

Having rejected Bayern’s opening offer of £58.6m earlier this month, Liverpool accepted a follow-up bid of £65.5m over the weekend and gave Diaz permission to have a medical with the club.

The winger leaves the Reds as a Premier League champion, having won four pieces of major silverware during his time at the club, and says his exit would have been the “perfect goodbye” if not for the death of team-mate Diogo Jota earlier this month.

Diaz joined Liverpool from Porto for an initial £37m in January 2022, scoring 41 goals in 148 appearances during his time at Anfield.

He won the FA Cup and EFL Cup during his opening season with the Reds, and was part of the side that lost to Real Madrid in the 2022 Champions League final.

Diaz enjoyed the most prolific season of his career last term, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as Liverpool won the Premier League.

The winger’s exit means Liverpool have made around £115m in player sales so far this summer.

That has helped to offset spending of around £270m on Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez.

The Reds remain interested in Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who did not travel on the Magpies’ far-east tour and is exploring options to leave the club.

Since his debut in January 2022, Diaz has combined consistent dribbling ability with steadily increasing goal threat. During his time at the club he led the Reds in terms of dribbles completed and fouls won, while ranking second for goals, goal involvements and touches in the opposition box.

It is no accident that his shot conversion rate last term – 19% in all competitions – was comfortably his highest in a Liverpool shirt. The winger made 39% of his league appearances as a false nine, meaning he was able to shoot from central areas more often. Head coach Arne Slot trialled Diaz in that role against Bayer Leverkusen in November, when the Colombian scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win, and it was a ploy the Merseysiders used to good effect in December and January.

In addition to his threat going forward, Diaz is renowned for grafting for the team. He won possession in the final third 70 times in the Premier League, the second most by a Liverpool player since his arrival, and ranks similarly highly for duels won despite his relatively slight 5ft 10in (1.78m) frame.

When used centrally last term, his high-energy pressing helped set the tempo for the Reds. But next season that role could be filled by club record signing Florian Wirtz, who – for all his attacking flair – works like a demon off the ball. The 22-year-old German won possession in the final third 71 times in the past two Bundesliga seasons, 15 more than any other player.

In terms of filling the void Diaz leaves on the left flank, Cody Gakpo appears the obvious beneficiary. The Dutchman scored 18 times last season, though he isn’t quite as effective at dribbling through congested spaces.

Rio Ngumoha, who turns 17 in August, started this month’s friendlies against Preston, Stoke and AC Milan and could eventually benefit from Diaz’s departure, though the youngster has only made one competitive appearance to date.

Another new signing, Hugo Ekitike, might also be deployed on the left on occasions. The Frenchman is more likely to play up front but could also slot in elsewhere as part of a fluid forward line – something that may be necessary if Liverpool manage to prise Alexander Isak away from Newcastle.

Esther Okoronkwo has been voted Super Falcons’ Fans Player of the Tournament at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

Okoronkwo was one of the standout performers for the Super Falcons at the competition.

The 27-year-old scored twice and registered six assists in six appearances for the Super Falcons.

The AFC Toronto star also won two Woman of the Match awards at the competition.

The announcement was made on the Super Falcons’ X handle.

“Presenting your #WAFCON2024 Fans’ Player of the Tournament…

Esther Okoronkwo, OON.

Clutch. Composed. Crowned by the people,” the post read.

Five of her teammates: Rasheedat Ajibade, Folashade Ijamilusi, Ashleigh Plumptre, Chiwendu Ihezuo, and Jennifer Echegini were also nominated for the award.

The Super Falcons defeated hosts Atlas Lionesses of Morocco 3-2 in the final of the WAFCON 2024.