Viktor Gyökeres was born on 4 June 1998 in Stockholm, Sweden. He started his European career at Brighton in 2018 after early development at Brommapojkarna and IF Brommapojkarna's senior side, but loan spells at FC St. Pauli, Swansea and Coventry were where he first made his name. Coventry signed him permanently in 2021, where he became the Championship's most-discussed forward — and Sporting CP signed him for around €20 million in July 2023.
In Lisbon, Gyökeres became the most prolific striker in European football. The 2024–25 season produced an extraordinary 39 Primeira Liga goals in 33 matches, plus 4 goals in the Taça da Liga, 5 in the Taça de Portugal, and 6 in the UEFA Champions League — winning back-to-back Primeira Liga titles (2023–24 and 2024–25) and the Taça de Portugal in 2024–25.
In summer 2025 Arsenal signed Gyökeres in a marquee transfer. His debut Premier League season has been outstanding: 33 league matches with 14 goals and an assist, 11 UEFA Champions League appearances with 5 goals and an assist, and goals in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. For Sweden in 2025 he scored 6 goals and provided an assist across 8 friendlies — astonishing international form.
A 189cm physically dominant centre forward with elite hold-up play, finishing ability and the work rate to lead the press, Gyökeres is Sweden's senior No. 9 and a leading candidate for Sweden captain duties heading into the 2026 World Cup. He is one of the most-discussed strikers in world football.