Arsenal has officially announced that Jorginho, the Italian midfielder, has inked a short-term contract extension, opting to decline a potential return to Serie A.
Throughout this season, the 32-year-old has played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s quest for their first title in two decades. He has been featured in most of his 10 Premier League starts since the beginning of the year, contributing significantly to Mikel Arteta’s team as they contend with Manchester City.
Speculation arose in March regarding Jorginho’s potential return to Italy, where he previously played for Verona and Napoli before joining Chelsea in July 2018 for an initial fee of £50 million.
However, Arsenal expressed a strong desire to retain the seasoned player, given the youthful composition of Arteta’s squad. Following negotiations, Jorginho agreed to extend his contract at the end of last month, committing to what is believed to be another season. Initially, he signed an 18-month deal upon his transfer from Chelsea in January 2023.
Mikel Arteta expressed his delight with the extension, emphasizing Jorginho’s significance to the team. He praised the midfielder’s leadership qualities and unique playing style, highlighting his ability to elevate the performance of those around him on the field.
The sentiment was echoed by Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, who emphasized Jorginho’s embodiment of the club’s values and his positive impact both on and off the pitch. The entire club, including players, coaches, and staff, is thrilled that Jorginho has chosen to remain with Arsenal as they continue their journey towards improvement and success.
