Arsenal have announced that left-back Kieran Tierney has signed a new long-term deal at the club. Sportsmail reported last week that the two parties were in advanced talks about fresh terms involving a five-year deal worth more than £100,000 per week for the 24-year-old Scotland international.
But appearing in an interview on the club’s website, the defender – who joined Arsenal from Celtic in a £25million deal in 2019 – revealed he had penned a new deal in north London shortly before the Gunners announced the news themselves. ‘It feels amazing,’ Tierney said. ‘First of all with the manager, who came to me and said ”we want you to extend your deal”.
‘It was amazing for me to hear because I have worked hard since I joined. The club have been brilliant with me so I am more than happy to extend it, I am delighted. ‘The vision of the club and where it wants to go, and the expectation of the club is where I want to be in football, which is at the top.
‘There is no doubt about it, we are not where we want to be right now, but we are going in the right direction.’ ‘This is great news for us today,’ Gunners boss Mikel Arteta said. ‘As manager of the club, speaking on behalf of the coaching staff and the entire staff, it’s a pleasure to work with KT. His quality, energy, commitment and professionalism, not only on matchdays, but every day in training are always at such a high level.
‘KT gives us so much extra strength both defensively and offensively and it’s great to know that he’ll be with us for the long term. ‘Since his move from Celtic, his work ethic and quality has ensured that he is already one of most exciting players in the Premier League and a hugely important part of our team, both on and off the pitch.
‘I know all the fans will join me, the players and staff in looking forward to seeing KT playing in an Arsenal shirt for a few more years.’Technical director Edu, meanwhile, added: ‘We are so pleased to have agreed a new long-term deal with Kieran. ‘Anyone who has seen him play will recognise very quickly that he is a player of huge ability, but I can tell you that he is also a player with a fantastic attitude and mentality.
‘Kieran’s new contract is not just about the present and next season, it’s with a long-term vision and Kieran being an integral part of the future of the club.’
Tierney has made 62 appearances for the club and played an influential role in the Gunners winning the FA Cup in the 2019-20 season. The left-back has been a key member of Arteta’s squad ever since the Spaniard’s arrival and has become a leading figure within the group despite some injury issues since swapping Celtic Park for Emirates Stadium.
But the news will come as a massive boost to Arteta, who is targeting a squad overhaul this summer, with the Gunners in talks to sign Brighton and England defender Ben White and Belgium U21 international Albert Sambi Lokonga. Tierney was also part of the Scotland squad that was knocked out in the group stage at Euro 2020 this week.
He missed the opening defeat against Czech Republic with a slight niggle before returning to the side to start both the goalless draw with England at Wembley and the 3-1 defeat by Croatia at Hampden Park.
