Bundesliga

2025-01-09T15:21:15Z

Viktor Gyökeres: German football's latest superstar graduate

Viktor Gyökeres (c.) played for St. Pauli before morphing into one of the world's hottest strikers at Sporting.
Viktor Gyökeres (c.) played for St. Pauli before morphing into one of the world's hottest strikers at Sporting.

Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyökeres continues to be touted as one of the biggest talents on the planet, with a host of European superclubs being linked with a transfer for the 26-year-old striker. It may come as little surprise to many to hear the Swede spent time in Germany earlier in his career.

Germany has long made a name for itself as one of the finest finishing schools in world football, with some of Europe’s biggest stars – including Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham and Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland – having passed through the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 on their way to superstardom elsewhere.  

Gyökeres is German football’s latest alumnus lighting up a foreign league. The 6'1" forward has 21 goals in just 17 league appearances for Sporting this season, after firing the club to Liga Portugal supremacy last term, when he finished top scorer with 29 strikes. He’s also shining on the continental stage this campaign, with five goals in six UEFA Champions League appearances, as well as a tournament-leading nine for Sweden in the UEFA Nations League.

Known for combining his blistering pace with the ball-carrying and finishing qualities that have made him such a feared opponent so far in 2024/25, Gyökeres' top speed of 21.4mph (34.5 km/h) also makes him the fastest player in the former competition this term.

Fans of St. Pauli will vouch for the player’s qualities. Gyökeres spent the 2019/20 season on loan in Hamburg from English Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. Then just 21 years old, the poacher registered a respectable seven goals and four assists in 26 Bundesliga 2 appearances, finishing as the side’s third-highest scorer. 

Then St. Pauli head coach Jos Luhukay described Gyökeres as a "talented boy" during the latter’s spell at Millerntor. The striker was initially used sparingly, but his positive performances saw him become a regular for the promotion chasers – now a Bundesliga club. Having told reporters of his desire to  "play more regularly" during the winter break, he went on to feature more in the second half of the campaign, ultimately playing in all of the final 11 league games of the campaign. 

When it came to leaving, Gyökeres labelled St. Pauli an "amazing club with the best fans" and hinted at a desire to return some day. "I look back with a lot of beautiful memories," he wrote on social media. "Hope to see you again someday."

Watch: Viktor Gyökeres' goals for St. Pauli

Gyökeres made his professional breakthrough at Swedish club Brommapojkarna, where he scored 20 goals in 56 top-flight appearances, before moving to Brighton. After his loan spell with St. Pauli, he enjoyed temporary stays with Swansea City and Coventry City in England’s lower leagues before transferring to the latter permanently in the summer of 2021. Sixty goal involvements in 116 Sky Blues showings earned him a €20 million switch to Sporting in July 2023.

Gyökeres has 74 goals and 21 assists in 79 outings for the Portuguese giants in all competitions. Those numbers confirm his status as one of the finest finishers in world football. He has been linked with a host of elite clubs, with many believing he would move on last summer.

"Of course, you want to play at the highest level," said the Sweden international amid the interest back in July. "I'm very happy at Sporting so staying is no problem, obviously you aim for other leagues and a higher level but there is no stress."

If he does move to one of Europe's elite sides, he'll be sure to count his time in Germany as a crucial stepping stone on his way to the summit of world football. 

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