Viktor Gyokeres: Style of play, stats, international caps, previous clubs, odds, transfer rumours & more

Introducing one of Europe's brightest talents, Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres.

Since his move to Sporting, Gyokeres has gained the attention of football watchers all across Europe, most noticeably in this season's UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Swedish international made the move from Coventry City to Portugal prior to the start of the 2023/24 campaign, for an estimated €20 million fee. A fee which at the time may have seemed high for a Championship player, Sporting will make a significant profit if they are to cash in on the in-form number nine.

He scored an astonishing 43 goals across all competitions last season, whilst also recording 15 assists.

The 26-year-old also had his first taste of European football last campaign, netting five times in the UEFA Europa League. With a step up to the UEFA Champions League by no means an easy task, he has made this transition effortlessly, having equalled his Europa League goal tally from last season in just four games.

We assess Gyokeres' background and development in our Scouting Europe series.

Viktor Gyokeres age, nationality and background

Viktor Gyokeres is 26-years-old and was born on 4th June 1998 in Stockholm, Sweden.

Attributes

Height and build

Gyokeres is 6ft 2ins and has a lean and athletic build.

Preferred foot

Gyokeres is naturally right-footed but is comfortable in front of goal on his left foot.

Style of play

Gyokeres is at his best when there is space to exploit in behind the opposition's defence. Nonetheless, he is extremely competent with his back to goal, with his physical attributes allowing him to hold off defenders.

He is brave in 1v1 duels, rarely turning down the opportunity to take on his opponent.

Possessing sharp acceleration and an ability to maintain high speeds when running with the ball, he is able to evade challenges with ease.

His ability to find the net with an array of finishes makes facing him a nightmare for opposition goalkeepers. That said, he often opts to utilise his immense power in front of goal, with the ball regularly rippling the net before the goalkeeper has had the chance to react.

Gyokeres has played in a system under Ruben Amorim that on occasions may leave the centre-forward isolated. In these situations, he is able to make use of his ability to surprise opponents with bursts of technical prowess in tight areas and ball improvisation when needed.

Viktor Gyokeres statistics

Metric	Total (Per 90 minutes)	Rank
Non-penalty goals	0.90	Top 1%
Non-penalty xG	0.70	Top 1%
Expected assists	0.27	Top 2%
Shot-creating actions	4.66	Top 1%
Progressive carries	3.91	Top 1%
Successful take-ons	2.23	Top 1%
Progressive passes received	10.53	Top 1%

(Statistics obtained from fbref.com and compares to positional peers over the last 365 days - correct as of 06/11/2024).

Career so far

Previous clubs

Gyokeres progressed through the ranks at IFK Aspudden-Tellus in Sweden from the age of five. In 2013, he joined the youth setup at IF Brommapojkarna, where he spent two years.

In 2015, he made his IF Brommapojkarna debut, and went on to make 56 senior appearances for the club, finding the net 20 times.

In 2018, the time came for the Swedish international to leave his home nation. He joined Brighton, where he failed to make a single first team appearance for the Seagulls.

In his three year stay at the club, he enjoyed three loan spells at St. Pauli, Swansea and Coventry before officially signing for Coventry for an estimated fee of £1 million.

An impressive stay at Coventry earned Gyokeres a move to Sporting, where he has taken his game to a completely new level.

International experience

Before entering the senior setup for his home nation, Gyokeres featured for Sweden's U19s and U21s.

He made his senior debut on 8th January 2019 in a 1-0 loss against Finland.

Just three days later, Gyokeres scored his first senior goal for Sweden in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

At just 26 years old, expect Sporting's number nine to make many more appearances for his nation and rack up his goals tally.

Viktor Gyokeres odds

Primeira Liga

UEFA Champions League

UEFA Champions League

(Odds will display when markets are available)

Viktor Gyokeres transfer rumours

Gyokeres is likely to attract interest from some of Europe's elite in the summer, if his fine run of form is to continue.

With Ruben Amorim set to join Manchester United, rumours are circulating as to whether the Portuguese coach will bring the Swedish international with him.

Reports also suggest that Barcelona may make an attempt to sign Gyokeres. With Robert Lewandowski set to turn 37 next August, a move for the number nine would come as no surprise.

That said, securing the services of Sporting's star player would not come at a cheap price in this current market.

Viktor Gyokeres: What they said

"I enjoy myself very much in Sporting and can't complain about anything, so it's absolutely no problem for me to stay. Of course, you aim to test other leagues and a higher level, but I have no stress."

Viktor Gyokeres

"I will respect Viktor, he has to stay until the end of the season and then his life will maybe go somewhere else."

Ruben Amorim