Izuchukwu OkosiArsenal have confirmed the contract extension of captain Martin Odegaard until the summer of 2028 after months of negotiations between the club and the representatives of the player.
The Gunners had an option to extend the Norway international’s existing deal through until 2026 but Sporting Director Edu and Manager Mikel Arteta have been keen to reward the club’s player of the season with a pay deal that reflects his importance to the first team.
According to reports in the English media, the new terms commit Odegaard to Arsenal until 2028.
Odegaard has scored 27 goals and made 15 assists in 112 appearances for Arsenal.
The former Real Madrid prodigy initially joined Arsenal on loan before signing permanently for £35 million in August 2021; a deal that now looks like an absolute steal.
Ahead of last season, the 24-year-old was appointed club captain – a role he has performed diligently on and off the pitch – and last week he made the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or; fitting recognition of a stellar 12 months.
On his decision to extend, Odegaard said: “Signing a new contract was a really easy decision for me for lots of reasons. Mainly what we are doing right now as a club is special, and I want to be a part of that. I’m really excited for what’s to come here. I’ve found a place where I can be really settled and call my home.
“My story is a bit different maybe, as I moved around different clubs since I was 16.
“At Arsenal, since the first day, I’ve felt great and this is definitely my home now. I just want to say thanks to everyone working at the club and of course, our fantastic supporters. I will continue to give everything to bring success to this club in the years to come.”
Blessed with guile and vision, the midfielder scored one of the Gunners’ four goals in the 4-0 thrashing of PSV in their return to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday at the Emirates stadium.
Odegaard was declared the Man of the Match in the Champions League game.
The details of the Odegaard deal was not disclosed but some podcasts and blogs dedicated to Arsenal indicate that the weekly offer made to the influential star is close to £300,000.
The scoops went further to hint that the star players at the club including the captain Odegaard, had an agreement with the club that they will be on same weekly salary as each other whenever they are negotiating new deals.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
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