England international forward Bukayo Saka has signed a new long-term contract with English Premier League side Arsenal.
Since joining the club as an eight-year-old, Bukayo has progressed from the club’s academy into the first team, with this season once again underlining his status as one of the finest talents in the country thanks to another truly exceptional campaign.
The 21-year-old, who has featured in every Premier League matches over the past two seasons, has scored 14 goals in all competitions in 2022/23, including 11 assists, bettering his tally of 12 goals last season. His superb development and consistent strong performances have resulted in him already making a total of 178 first-team appearances.
Before this campaign, Bukayo was voted Arsenal’s Player of the Season for 2020/21 and 2021/22, making him the first player to retain the honour since Thierry Henry in 2005. This season, he won the Premier League Player of the Month for March and also collected the Young Player of the Year at the recent London Football Awards. He has also been nominated for this year’s Premier League Player of the Season as well as their Young Player of the Season award.
Making his first team debut in the Europa League aged 17 in November 2018, Bukayo also became the first player born in the 21st century to play in a Premier League match when he came on as a substitute during our 4-1 home win over Fulham on New Year’s Day 2019.
Having represented England at youth level, Bukayo made his senior international debut in October 2020 and was one of the stars of Euro 2020, becoming the youngest player ever to appear for the Three Lions in a major final when they faced Italy at Wembley. Now with 26 international caps to his name, Bukayo was also a key member of the England squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Sporting Director Edu said: “It has been so enjoyable to work with everyone to extend Bukayo’s contract. It is a very proud moment for us all at the club, to work hard with Bukayo and experience his great journey from our academy through to our first team.
“Bukayo has now developed into one of the best young players in the game and we’re looking forward to enjoying together this next stage of his career with us.”
Mikel Arteta added: “It’s great for the club that Bukayo has extended his contract. Retaining our best young talents is key to our continued progress and Bukayo represents such an important part of our squad now and for the future.
“As well as being a fantastic talent, Bukayo is a special person, he’s loved by us all and he is a credit to himself and his family for the hard work and commitment they have all made to get to this level today. Together with our supporters, we’re so looking forward to enjoying Bukayo’s continued development with us in the years to come.”
Bukayo’s new contract is subject to the completion of regulatory processes which is due to see the English man remain at the club till 2027
