Arsenal have completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for a fee of £75m. The midfielder, who served as Newcastle captain, had previously expressed his desire to join the Premier League champions earlier in the summer.
The 28-year-old Brazil international has committed to a four-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months. Guimaraes described the transfer as one of the most challenging decisions of his life, acknowledging the deep connection he felt with Newcastle.
“This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me,” Guimaraes stated. He added that he sought a new experience and felt ready for a fresh challenge for himself and his family. Newcastle United conveyed their best wishes to Guimaraes and his family following his departure.
Departure from St. James’ Park
Guimaraes departed Newcastle‘s training camp in La Manga, Spain, earlier this week to finalize his move to Emirates Stadium. This followed a significant breakthrough in discussions between the clubs. The agreed transfer fee is notable, representing one of the ten highest fees ever received for a player aged 28 or older, and a record for a player of his age and position combined.
During his tenure at St. James’ Park, Guimaraes made 195 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 31 goals. He reflected on his time at the club, saying, “This is one of the toughest decisions of my life. When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together.”
He expressed his affection for the club and its community, noting, “I fell in love with this place. I really mean that. From my first day, the supporters, my teammates, Eddie and the staff, and everyone connected with the club made me and my family feel at home.”
Guimaraes also extended his gratitude to PIF, chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Jamie Reuben for their contributions to him and the club. He specifically thanked David and Ross for their respect throughout the transfer process, acknowledging their efforts to retain him at Newcastle.
He mentioned a positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, indicating his confidence in the club’s future leadership. To the supporters, Guimaraes offered heartfelt thanks, stating, “I will always be proud to have been part of this club’s journey. Thank you for everything.”
A New Challenge and Aspirations
Upon his decision to join Arsenal, Guimaraes revealed that he received messages from several of his future teammates. These included his fellow countryman Gabriel and midfielder Declan Rice. Rice, who had faced Guimaraes in previous midfield battles, reportedly told him, “come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends.”
Guimaraes articulated his motivation for the move, stating, “I’m at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it. I’m so excited to start.”
He initially joined Newcastle in January 2022 when the team was facing relegation challenges. He played a vital role in the club’s improved performance under former head coach Eddie Howe. His contributions were significant in Newcastle‘s recent successes.
The Brazilian midfielder became the first captain in seven decades to lift a major domestic trophy for Newcastle when they secured victory against Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final. Furthermore, he was part of the squad that qualified for the Champions League in both 2023 and 2025, before the team finished in 12th place in the Premier League last season.
Source: bbc.co.uk
