Martin Odegaard becomes Arsenal’s highest-paid player as captain signs new five-year contract for a huge pay rise 

• Martin Odegaard has shone for Arsenal ever since joining the club back in 2021
• He was appointed as club captain last year and has now signed a new contract
• Click here to watch the IAKO Battle of Old Trafford YouTube Special from the Mail Sport Studios 

Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year deal with the club.

Odegaard initially joined the Gunners on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021, before making his move permanent that summer for a £30m fee.

After an initial bedding in period, the Norwegian midfielder – who has committed to the club until the summer of 2028 and will become their highest-paid player – has shone in north London, scoring 27 goals and adding 15 assists in 112 appearances.

Speaking after his new contract was announced, Odegaard said: ‘It was an easy decision for me. I felt connected and I felt at home here since the first day. 

‘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. 

Martin Odegaard has signed a new five-year deal with Arsenal until the summer of 2028 

Odegaard is a key player for Mikel Arteta, who appointed the midfielder as captain in 2022

 ‘(There are) amazing people here at the club, the fans as well, everything around the club is just a good match for me.

‘Of course, I am thinking about it (winning trophies). That is the big dream, the big goal, to win things with the club. That’s why I have signed here as well, because I believe we can achieve some great things.’

Such has Odegaard’s importance to the team been after emerging as a key player under Mikel Arteta, he was appointed club captain last summer after Alexandre Lacazette’s departure. 

His previous deal was set to expire at the end of next season and the Gunners made the midfielder’s future a top priority.

Mail Sport reported last week how talks between Arsenal and Odegaard’s representatives were said to be progressing positively.

He is expected to receive a sharp pay increase from his current deal worth in the region of £120,000-per-week.

The 24-year-old has scored 27 goals and added 15 assists in 112 appearances for Arsenal

Odegaard outlined his ambition to win trophies with Arsenal after signing his new contract

The 24-year-old – who was integral as the Gunners came second in 2022-23 – has started the season in fine form, with three goals in six games.

Arteta’s side are currently fourth in the Premier League with four wins and a draw from their first five games, while they also beat PSV 4-0 on Wednesday on their return to the Champions League following a seven year absence.

After initially breaking through at Stromsgodset in his homeland, Odegaard joined Real Madrid as a 16-year-old in 2015.

However, he struggled to break through at the Bernabeu, and spent time on loan at Heerenveen, Vitesse Arnhem and Real Sociedad, before his initial temporary switch to the Emirates in 2021. 

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