When Jakub Kiwior packed his bags in London, many saw it as a step down. Leaving a club like Arsenal for FC Porto? That’s football talk for going backwards. But Kiwior himself, while speaking to Polish portal ‘TVP Sport’ during a national team camp, made it clear he doesn’t see it that way. He thinks Porto and Arsenal share a lot. Both are big clubs. They have huge goals, amazing fans, great stadiums, and deep histories. He says it wasn’t tough to leave London. The sporting future he saw at Porto just felt right.
So, what made him choose Porto when other clubs were calling? It came down to sheer grit. Kiwior explained that FC Porto wouldn’t give up. They called him every single day. They fought hard for him, showing they truly cared. Even after Arsenal said no many times, Porto kept pushing. They chased their goal and got him. Kiwior saw that determination and decided this was the path to take. He received many offers, but in the end, he picked Porto. Then, when he saw Janek Bednarek join too, he thought, “If this works, it will be great.” So far, he feels it really is working out well.
A Rich History and Warm Welcome
Kiwior admits he’s been pleasantly surprised by what he found. Coming from Arsenal, he didn’t expect to be blown away. But a recent team visit to the club museum changed his mind. They met Porto legends and watched old films. It showed him just how big the club’s traditions really are. He even suggests others should visit. Porto remembers its Polish players fondly, he says. Józef Mlynarczyk, for example, is still a legend. He won the European Champions Cup with them in 1986. Kiwior believes these past Polish players make things easier for the new ones. They understand the Polish spirit. He hopes they can continue this success. The big goal is to win the Portuguese championship again. Porto last won it in 2022.
Settling In with the Coach
Adapting to Coach Farioli’s ideas has also been simple for Kiwior. He had a meeting where the coach showed him exactly how he wants the defense to play. During the transfer talks, when it looked like he would join, Kiwior watched some Porto games. He wanted to know what was coming. He fit into the team quickly. Sometimes, a coach draws a plan on a board, and players might doubt if they can do it on the field. But then they watch a video and see it’s possible. Kiwior says the coach spends a lot of time on tactical preparation. He really focuses on the small details.