Bellerín extends Arsenal contract
Monday, November 21, 2016
Today, English capital football club Arsenal F.C. announced Spanish defender Héctor Bellerín signed a "long-term" contract extension.
21-year-old Bellerín joined the Gunners in 2011 from FC Barcelona's academy, La Masía, where he spent eight years. Graduating from Arsenal's youth ranks, Bellerín made his professional debut for Arsenal in 2014. In the 2015–16 season, Bellerín started in 36 of 38 Premier League matches. He won a spot in PFA's team of the season and featured for Spain in the UEFA Euro 2016. Bellerín has featured in 67 matches for the Arsenal first team.
Per the previous contract, Bellerín was tied to the club till July 2019. The Telegraph reported Bellerín would probably earn about £100,000 per week. Currently, the centre back earns about £40,000 per week.
After signing the contract extension, Bellerín said, "I've just got to keep on progressing, keep working hard to be the best player I can be, and hopefully help the team to be where it's got to be, to win some silverware." Arsenal won the league title previously in 2004.
Previously, Barça and Manchester City F.C. were interested to sign the Spanish international. Past Arsenal players Cesc Fàbregas, Thierry Henry, Thomas Vermaelen, and Alex Song each left to Barça.
Sources
- "Hector Bellerin signs new contract" — Arsenal FC, November 21, 2016
- Jeremy Wilson. "Hector Bellerin signs new six-and-a-half-year Arsenal contract, with Mesut Ozil close to agreeing £200,000-a-week deal" — The Daily Telegraph (United Kingdom), November 21, 2016
- Rory Marsden. "Hector Bellerin, Arsenal Agree New Contract" — Bleacher Report, November 21, 2016