COVENTRY City striker Viktor Gyokeres has joined Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon for a club record fee.
Gyokeres topped the club’s goalscoring charts in each of his two full seasons at the Sky Blues and departs having scored 40 goals in 97 appearances.
However, after weeks of speculation, Gyokeres has joined 19-time Portuguese champions Sporting for a club record fee.
And the sale of Gyokeres surpasses the £13m fee the club received from Inter Milan for Robbie Keane in 2000.
The Sweden international initially signed for City on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in January 2021 before making the move permanent for an undisclosed fee later that summer.
However, after his goals fired Coventry to the Championship play-off final last season, the striker drew interest from several clubs with only a year left on his contract.
Sporting won the race for the player’s signature with reported interest from a number of Premier League clubs including Burnley, Everton and West Ham United as well as Serie A side Atalanta.
Sporting will play in the UEFA Europa League next season under talented Portuguese coach Rúben Amorim who guided the club to the league title in 2020/21 – their first in almost two decades.
The club’s executive chairman, Doug King said: “After a long discussion, we have finally concluded a deal that is right for all parties concerned.
“Viktor has made a huge impression in his time with us and leaves many great memories and we wish him every success with his new club.
“Once again, the quality of the coaching staff at our club has been showcased.
“We have already been active in the market as we rebuild for the new season and will continue to recruit selectively but these funds will also support the extensive infrastructure projects the club is undertaking.”
“This is a record transfer fee for Coventry City but as is normal will be paid over an extended period, with Brighton & Hove Albion taking a meaningful percentage share.”
