Arsenal’s captain, Martin Odegaard, has committed to a new five-year contract with the club. Odegaard initially joined Arsenal on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 before making his move permanent that summer for a fee of £30 million.
Since then, the Norwegian midfielder has become a standout player for Arsenal, scoring 27 goals and providing 15 assists in 112 appearances. He will now stay with the club until the summer of 2028 and become their highest-paid player.
Odegaard expressed his happiness about the new contract: “It was an easy decision for me. I felt connected, and I felt at home here since the first day.
Also, I was moving around a lot and struggling to settle down, so I felt like I needed a place to come and settle down and find a home.
Amazing people here at the club, the fans as well; everything around the club is just a good match for me.”
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I want to win trophies with Arsenal: Odegaard
He also mentioned his ambition to win trophies with the club, stating, “Of course, I am thinking about it (winning trophies). That is the big dream and goal to win things with the club. That’s why I have also signed here because I believe we can achieve some great things.”
Odegaard’s importance to the team was evident when he was named club captain last summer following Alexandre Lacazette’s departure. His previous contract was set to expire at the end of the next season, making his renewal a top priority for Arsenal.
The 24-year-old midfielder has seen a significant increase in his wages, earning more than his previous deal, which was around £120,000 per week. Odegaard has started the current season in excellent form, scoring three goals in six games.
Arteta’s Impact on Arsenal’s Performance
Under the leadership of manager Mikel Arteta, Arsenal is currently in fourth place in the Premier League, with four wins and a draw in their first five matches.
They also returned to the Champions League, defeating PSV 4-0 after a seven-year absence from the competition.
Odegaard’s football journey began at Stromsgodset in Norway before joining Real Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2015. He later went on loan to various clubs, including Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem, and Real Sociedad, before his initial loan move to Arsenal in 2021.
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