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Arsenal FC captain Martin Odegaard has signed a new long-term contract with the club.
The Norway international is now in his fourth season with Arsenal FC, having initially joined on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021. He was named Player of the Season last term after a stellar campaign in which he amassed 15 goals – all in the Premier League – to jointly top Arsenal FC scoring charts from midfield.
Blessed with incredible vision and awareness, Martin’s performances in 2022/23 also earned him a place in the PFA Team of the Year, and nominations for the Premier League Player of the Season, Premier League Young Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year awards. He was also named the Premier League Player of the Month for November/December 2022.
A calmly authoritative leader, with huge creative and technical ability, Martin made his senior debut for Stromsgodset aged just 15. He then signed for Real Madrid shortly afterwards and became their youngest player, making his debut aged 16 years and 157 days.
He enjoyed three successful loan spells in Holland and Spain before joining Arsenal FC and immediately impressed with his passing range and ability on the ball. He has been a full international since August 2014, when he became Norway’s youngest-ever player, aged 15 years and 253 days, and he has captained his country since March 2021.
Martin has already started this season strongly, being an ever-present in the side and scoring three goals from Arsenal FC seven games in all competitions, including a fine strike in the 4-0 UEFA Champions League victory over PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Martin reflected on his great news by saying, “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.”
Sporting Director Edu said, “To agree and complete a new contract with Martin is such great news for us all. He is our captain, an experienced international and a player who gives us so much quality and joy every time he plays for us.”
“Martin is still only 24 years old, so there’s still much more to come from him, and we’re delighted that we will be together in the forthcoming years. Our aim is to keep our best players, and with Martin now also included, we’re pleased to have completed new long-term contracts with a number of our most important young players in recent months.”
Manager Mikel Arteta added, “Martin signing a new long-term contract is such good news for everyone connected with Arsenal. He is our captain and a hugely respected person at our club, who is a great role model and professional, bringing quality and maturity in everything he does. On the pitch, as everyone has seen, Martin is a young player of top quality who consistently contributes at a such a high level.”
“As a manager, working with Martin the person and the player is an absolute joy, and it’s great that after experiencing a number of clubs already in his career, he is now settled and really feels at home at Arsenal. We all look forward to continuing our journey with Martin in the years to come.”
Martin’s new contract is subject to the completion of regulatory processes.
