Gyokeres’ breakthrough into the first team at Brommapojkarna came as a teenager, and he soon became a key member of the team, scoring 20 goals in 56 games.
“They were struggling in the second division when he was 16, and the coach from the first team came to me when all of his strikers were injured,” Eklund continues.
“He said, ‘David, do you have any players who can play at that level now?’ I said, ‘I have Viktor. He is a good player; he’s strong enough to play with older players and he’s working hard.’
“Nobody at Bromma was thinking about him. It took time – maybe two or three months – but then he started to settle. The coach called me back and said, ‘wow’.”
Gyokeres’ permanent move in 2021 from Brighton to Coventry, where he scored 39 goals, was a seminal moment. He became the main man for the Sky Blues and developed a great understanding with manager Mark Robins, who once again saw through initial scepticism.
“He first joined on loan for half a season and did OK, but not all fans were keen on his returning the following season,” BBC CWR’s Clive Eakin says. “But Mark Robins clearly saw something in his and bought him permanently.
“From then, it was clear he was something special. His ability to run at and through defenders [stood out]. Any time he collected the ball around the halfway line, you fancied his chances of going through to score. He has strength and is confident with his finishing.”
Premier League clubs were linked before Gyokeres joined Sporting. It was Manchester City-bound director Hugo Viana who seized the opportunity to sign him, and the Swede’s reputation has since soared.
