Declan Rice has paid tribute to his now former Arsenal teammate Jakub Kiwior after the Polish defender sealed a move to FC Porto on deadline day. Arsenal endured one of their busiest summers in recent memory, with Andrea Berta overseeing eight new signings and 12 departures in a sweeping squad overhaul. Among those leaving, Kiwior’s exit stood out and Rice made sure to let him know exactly what he thought.
Declan Rice message to Jakub Kiwior
After Kiwior confirmed his departure on social media, Rice commented just one word: “Monster”. The tribute was short but telling, showing the high regard in which Arsenal’s midfield leader held his defensive partner. Kiwior may not have been a consistent starter, but he left his mark with solid displays most memorably against Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals last season.
Kiwior joined Arsenal in January 2023 and made 68 appearances across all competitions. Despite flashes of quality, he was never able to fully dislodge William Saliba or Gabriel Magalhaes in the pecking order. His move to Porto is structured as a loan with a mandatory buy option, worth around €23m. For the player, it represents a chance to play regular football, something that was becoming increasingly difficult at the Emirates.
Why Arsenal signed Piero Hincapie
Kiwior’s departure became inevitable once Arsenal secured the signing of Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapie is viewed as a significant upgrade: a left-footed defender who is comfortable at both centre-back and full-back. His ability to step into midfield areas, play progressive passes, and win duels makes him a tailor-made Arteta player.
Data comparisons underline the difference. Last season, Hincapie boasted an 82.4% pass completion rate and won over 86% of his defensive duels, far superior to Kiwior’s metrics. With Arsenal also adding Cristhian Mosquera, the defensive reshuffle looks complete.
For Arsenal, this is another example of Andrea Berta’s willingness to act decisively in the transfer market, upgrading the squad where possible. For Kiwior, however, Porto offers a fresh start, and Rice’s glowing tribute proves that the Polish defender leaves North London with the respect of his teammates.
