Arsenal Football Club today announced that Brazilian central defender Gabriel Magalhães has signed a new long-term contract, extending his commitment to the club until 2029. The 27-year-old, whose previous deal was set to expire in June 2027, has solidified his status as a cornerstone of the Gunners’ defense.
Gabriel joined Arsenal from French side Lille in September 2020 for approximately £27 million and has since become an indispensable figure under manager Mikel Arteta. He has made 210 appearances across all competitions, impressively finding the back of the net 20 times. This remarkable goal tally makes him the Premier League’s highest-scoring defender since his arrival in the league.
His professional journey began at Avaí FC in Brazil before his move to Lille in 2017. During his early career, he gained valuable experience through loan spells at Troyes in Ligue 1 and Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia, where he notably secured a domestic league and cup double in the 2017-2018 season.
Gabriel wasted no time making an impact at Arsenal, scoring on his Premier League debut against Fulham in the 2020-2021 season opener and quickly establishing himself as a regular starter. His consistent performances led to his first contract extension with the club just over two years ago.
The 2023-2024 season was particularly stellar for Gabriel, as he was named in the prestigious PFA Team of the Year. He also played a crucial role in Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City at Wembley, marking a successful start to the campaign. Over the past two seasons, he has been instrumental in solidifying Arsenal’s defensive unit, contributing not only with robust defensive displays but also with crucial goals, including a memorable last-minute winner against Tottenham Hotspur in September 2024.
This new four-year deal underscores Arsenal’s commitment to building around a core of top-tier talent and securing the long-term future of key players. While Gabriel missed the final two months of the recent season due to a hamstring injury, he is expected to be fit for the start of the 2025/26 campaign, ready to continue his impactful contributions.
In a statement, Gabriel expressed his delight: “I arrived here as a young player and after almost five years I’m so happy and I’ve learned a lot. I’m so proud of myself, it’s an amazing journey, and I’m so happy to continue it. I hope I win some trophies with this club, because I love this club and my family loves the club, too. Arsenal is an amazing club and I’m so proud to sign a new contract. I love this club, I love the supporters, my teammates, I love this stadium. I’m so proud and thank you for all the support. We continue together for the future.”
