Arsenal Captain Extend Contract On A Long-Term Deal, Becomes Club’s Highest-Paid Player 

Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year contract, committing his future to Arsenal.

The Norway international was in the final 24 months of his last deal but put pen to paper on September 1 and is now secured until the summer of 2028. There is no option to extend.

READ ALSO: Arsenal Boss Gives Verdict On Midfield New-Look As Rice, Odegaard, Havertz Plays Together

After a smooth and speedy negotiation process that saw talks start in May and result in the desired outcome for all parties, Odegaard is now the highest-paid player at Arsenal.

The 24-year-old playmaker was beginning to draw interest from other parties, but no talks were entertained because the primary objective was extending his time at Arsenal.

“It was an easy decision for me. As I said many times, I felt connected and I felt at home here since the first day,” he said upon the announcement on Friday.

“And also I was moving around a lot and struggling to really settle down, so I felt like I needed a place to come and settle down and to kind of find a home.

“That’s what I did here and I felt it from the first day, so it was easy for me to commit. I’m also excited for what we’re doing now and for the future, so I’m really happy.

“It just shows what we’re doing as a club. People want to be here as part of the project.

“What we’re doing is really special and the players see what the manager wants to do and how the club is progressing, the connection we now have with the fans.

“I think it’s a no-brainer for the players to be part of that. With so many hungry young players, it’s a great place to be,” he continued.

He is the latest key squad member retention following William Saliba, Bukayo Saka, Aaron Ramsdale and Gabriel Martinelli, with director Josh Kroenke a driving force in this negotiation.

The midfielder will be next seen in action on Sunday when Arsenal face rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby.