Arsenal captain Odegaard signs new five-year contract

Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at Arsenal until the summer of 2028.

The 24-year-old, who joined from Real Madrid in January 2021, put pen to paper on his new deal just two days before Arsenal takes on local rivals Tottenham in the north London derby.

"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," said Odegaard on the Arsenal website.

"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," he said.

Odegaard's time at Real Madrid saw him struggle to settle, with loan spells at Heerenveen, Vitesse, Real Sociedad and initially with Arsenal, before they made his move permanent in the summer of 2021.

"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," said the player, who has 27 goals in 112 appearances for Arsenal.

Head coach Mikel Arteta also welcomed the new contract.

"I'm really happy for him. It just shows there are many ways to make it. At the end it's about finding a place where you are comfortable and valued and you can express your talent. He's loved by everybody," Arteta said of his captain.