The ink on Viktor Gyokeres’ contract may barely be dry following the striker’s arrival from Arsenal, nevertheless it’s clear his trademark celebration is already catching on amongst young fans on this country.
The Gunners put an end to months of speculation as they announced that they’d captured Gyokeres, 27, from Sporting for a fee of £54.8million – plus £8.5m in add-ons – on the weekend.
The Sweden international has signed a five-year deal on the Emirates and takes over the No.14 shirt in north London, famously worn by club legend Thierry Henry.
Having joined up with Mikel Arteta’s squad in Singapore on Sunday, Gyokeres could have the right opportunity to make a direct impression in the following match of Arsenal’s pre-tour against Tottenham on Thursday.
While Arteta has refused to verify whether or not Gyokeres will likely be involved, the attacker will certainly be itching to take to the sector against Arsenal’s bitter rivals and, higher still, perform his iconic goal celebration – regarded as a nod to Bane, Batman’s arch-nemesis in The Dark Knight Rises.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every single day
Get up to search out news in your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Join to our newsletter after which select your team within the link so we will send you football news tailored to you.
As last season wore on, Sporting fans reveled in performing the hands-over-the-face gesture every time Gyokeres found the back of the web, which happened quite quite a bit, with the forward scoring 54 goals in 52 games.
And while Manchester United’s failed pursuit of Gyokeres was well-documented, it didn’t stop Kai Rooney, son of Wayne, from copying the celebration because the Red Devils’ Under-16 team ran out 3-0 winners over West Cork Academy on Monday.
Rooney, 15, who bears a daunting resemblance to his old man when in full flow, provided the assist for Sam O’Brien’s opening goal before doubling United’s advantage from the penalty spot just before half-time.
Having safely converted his effort from 12 yards, the teenager was pictured jogging towards the touchline before locking each of his hands in front of his mouth in tribute to Arsenal’s latest addition.
Bassirou Nkoto added an excellent third within the second period to place United out of sight within the one-sided SuperCupNI contest, where United are also grouped with Rangers and Co Tyrone.
Talking to Arsenal’s official website after signing on the dotted line, Gyokeres explained how his celebration first got here about.
‘Before I got it, my friends were all the time saying to me to search out my very own celebration because they were very bored with me doing every kind of stuff once I was celebrating,’ the Swede said.
‘I had some break day. We went on vacation together.
‘During that point, we got here up with it after some time. We thought it looked good and I began doing it straightaway. It felt even higher on the pitch.’
Back in June 2024, Gyokeres seemingly confirmed the celebration’s true origins with a post on his Instagram page.
‘No one cared until I placed on the mask,’ the message read, a transparent nod to the character Bane in Christopher Nolan’s popular movie trilogy.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE: Manchester United tipped to sign one other hugely promising Arsenal teen by former coach
MORE: Man Utd eyeing up two strikers after giving up on £80m Chelsea transfer goal
MORE: Arsenal intend to make Eberechi Eze their seventh summer signing – on one condition