Bruno Guimaraes posts a farewell message to Newcastle, and speaks on joining Arsenal on a 4-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
He spent 4 years with the Magpies, and in that time made many a memory, which feature in his goodbye video posted onto social media.
Guimaraes thanked “the fans, Eddie Howe and his staff, all the players, directors, owners and everyone who works at the club for a period filled with happiness and achievements.”
“I will always be proud to have been part of this club’s journey.” 🖤🤍
We can announce that Bruno Guimarães has joined Arsenal for an undisclosed fee. He departs after making 195 appearances and scoring 31 goals for the club.
We wish Bruno and his family well for the future.
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 8, 2026
Thank you Geordies.
Just a heartfelt thank you to the fans, Eddie Howe and his staff, all the players, directors, owners and everyone who works at the club for a period filled with happiness and achievements.
It was beautiful to live these nearly five years with you all. 🖤🤍… pic.twitter.com/sJjTvyCuWb
— Bruno Guimarães (@brunoog97) August 8, 2026
Newcastle United announced via their website: “Bruno Guimarães has joined Arsenal for an undisclosed fee.
“The agreed fee represents one of the top ten highest transfer fees ever received for a player aged 28 or over, and a record fee for a player of his age and position combined.
“Bruno departs St. James’ Park after making 195 appearances and scoring 31 goals for the Magpies.”
Bruno said: “This is one of the toughest decisions of my life. When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together.
“I fell in love with this place. I really mean that. From my first day, the supporters, my teammates, Eddie and the staff, and everyone connected with the club made me and my family feel at home.
“I thank PIF, our chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan and Jamie Reuben for everything they have done for me and for this football club. I also want to say thank you to David and Ross for the huge respect to me throughout this process. They did everything they could to keep me at Newcastle, and I am very grateful for our time together.
“This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family. I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.
“To the supporters, thank you will never be enough, but I say it with all my heart. I will always be proud to have been part of this club’s journey. Thank you for everything.”
The club wishes Bruno and his family well.
Arsenal said in a statement on arsenal.com: |We are delighted to announce that Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes has joined us from Newcastle United on a long-term contract.
“Bruno joins us having established himself as one of the most influential players in the Premier League.
“The 28-year-old began his professional career in his home country, making his senior debut for Sao Paulo-based side Audax in 2015, before joining Athletico Paranaense two years later. During his time with Athletico, Bruno established himself as one of Brazil’s brightest young midfielders, helping the club win four major trophies, before earning a move to French side Lyon in January 2020. Across two impressive seasons in Ligue 1, Bruno further enhanced his reputation as one of Europe’s outstanding midfield talents.
“Bruno joined Newcastle United in January 2022 and went on to make nearly 200 appearances during four-and-a-half seasons at St James’ Park. A commanding presence in midfield, he played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph in 2025 and helped the club secure qualification for the UEFA Champions League across two seasons.
“An established international, Bruno has made 48 appearances for Brazil and has represented his country on the biggest stages of the game. He was part of Brazil’s squad at the recent FIFA World Cup, and has also featured in the Copa America, and won a gold medal at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Sporting Director, Andrea Berta said: “We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club.
“Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
“Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.
“Bruno will wear the number 39 shirt for the club and join up with his new team mates immediately.
“Everyone at Arsenal warmly welcomes Bruno and his family to the club.
“The transfer is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.”
A force of nature.
Guimaraes is a Gunner ✍️ pic.twitter.com/E7k4mIHICg
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 8, 2026
Bruno said to arsenal.com: “I’m very excited. I’m at the point of my life where I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it. I’m so excited to start.”
“Rice sent me a message: ‘Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends!’ I was happy he messaged me.
“In my point of view, [the Arsenal midfield] is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player.
“Every time when I play against [Arsenal] it was very tough. They keep the ball, they defend like one. I think that combination is the way I like to play as well, and of course, joining the winners of the league is always a big opportunity.”
On what he can bring to our midfield unit: “I can pass the ball, run a lot and play like a warrior, I’ll never give up. I will try to help the team, [I’m] good with the ball, composed, very calm, and sometimes I can score some goals and hope to make everyone very, very happy here.”
“It’s massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. I want to win more trophies in my career, and I think I’m in the right place, at my peak at 28 years old.
“I’m so excited to join. Here, wearing this shirt, you have to go for winning trophies, winning everything we can and make history.
“I want to put my name in the club history. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.
“I think it’s the best thing that a player can do for the club: create history and inspire the young.”
On emulating Gilberto Silva: “Of course, Gilberto Silva. I love him as a player. I had the opportunity before to talk to Gilberto Silva. I hope I can follow his history here and make myself one of the very good players at Arsenal in history.”
The midfielder will continue his tradition of wearing number 39, a number he holds close to his heart.
“It means everything to me. I have the tattoo of the 39 as well. My father was a taxi driver in Brazil for more than 20 years. The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything.
“So when I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: ‘No, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.’
“When I got to Athletico Paranaense, I went to do the medical and when I opened [my bag], the number 39 was in there and I was very scared. I went to the kit man and I said: ‘Why 39?’ He said: ‘Well, if you don’t want it, you can change it.’ I said: ‘No, no, no, it’s exactly what I want!’
“At that moment, I called my father and when I told him the history, he started to cry. He said: ‘I told you, this number is going to give you luck.’ Since then, I’ve always been the 39.”
A message to supporters: “The message for me is thank you for everything you have done. All the messages you gave me, I’m so excited to join you. I will give you my best, I promise. Like I said, I’m your warrior, I’ll never give up. Hopefully we can create many, many good memories together.”
Here’s how fans reacted as Bruno Guimaraes speaks on joining Arsenal and posts a farewell message to Newcastle…
@NUFCMurph: Hired a super agent to get a move out of the place you say you love most 💀
@NUFCLC: Shame you jumped ship when the club needed a leader. The fans who aren’t thick don’t buy your AI slop. Cheers for the trophy, see ya later.
@fleenufc06: Just words… jumped at the first chance of it getting tough
@gw850: Cheers for everything Bruno. Proved that you’re just like the rest though. Essentially did an Isak, but in a much more subtle way.
@ToonTakeover_: Not the ending we wanted…. but thank you for everything. All the best, Bruno. 🤝 ⚫⚪ #NUFC
@Stephen33739462: One of the best in black and white we’ve ever seen. You represented us as our captain, and when we needed you most, you threw the towel in. Hope you understand what legacy you’ve lost becoming just another number down there pal.
@John_E_Reese: Let down club and country, all in one summer. Pretty impressive work really. Everyone who lived through Andy Cole knows how much it actually hurts when a great leaves. This is all just disappointing.
@dude1979: Rat. Hiring a super agent to force a move. Regardless of your time here. Not the actions of a captain or a legend. Good player while you were here. Sour ending. Hope you end up with no more silverware and splinters on your arse from time on the bench
@TalkToonahNUFC: Some captain you turned out to be, a difference in ideas – more like you abandoned the club fans and city at a time they needed you. You’re were class and helped us lift a trophy but you have scarred your legacy at the club. Your words don’t mean anything your actions speak
@nufcajay: Wow, I expected so much more. Both as our captain and in your goodbyes. Just shows you pretended all these years. Legacy destroyed, what a shame
@helloIamBesty: Empty words. As club captain you’ve gone about this dreadfully, used the Isak situation from last summer to your advantage.
@AngelNufc: The right move for him at this stage of his career. I’ll never hate him for it. He gave us some incredible memories and moments I’ll always be grateful for. Once a part of this club, always a part of it. Just a shame the way it ended.
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