Andreas Christensen extends Barcelona stay until 2028 after accepting major pay cut

Danish defender Andreas Christensen has signed a new two-year contract extension with Barcelona, committing his future to the Spanish champions until June 30, 2028.

The agreement, finalized this week, ensures the 30-year-old centre-back remains part of manager Hansi Flick’s plans after his previous deal was due to expire in June 2026.

In a significant show of commitment, Christensen reportedly accepted a salary reduction of more than 50 percent to remain at the Camp Nou despite receiving more lucrative offers from clubs in England, Italy, Germany and Saudi Arabia. According to reports from football journalist Fabrizio Romano and Spanish media, the defender agreed to restructure his contract to help Barcelona navigate its ongoing financial challenges.

Under the new deal, Christensen’s annual base salary is expected to drop from around €12 million to approximately €5 million, with performance-related bonuses potentially increasing his total earnings to between €8 million and €9 million per season. The contract also includes a mutual termination clause that can be activated by either party after the 2026/27 campaign, allowing both the player and the club to review their future partnership.

Christensen joined Barcelona on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2022 and has since established himself as one of the club’s most reliable defenders. He has made 98 appearances in all competitions, including 71 in La Liga, and has helped Barcelona win three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey and three Spanish Super Cups.

The contract extension comes after a difficult 2025/26 season in which the Danish international spent nearly six months sidelined with a serious knee injury. He returned to competitive action in Barcelona’s final league match of the campaign against Valencia, marking a successful recovery.

Barcelona’s decision to extend Christensen’s contract is seen as a strong vote of confidence in his experience, versatility and ability to play out from the back. With the defender now fully fit, he is expected to play a key role in Hansi Flick’s squad as the Catalan giants prepare to defend their domestic title and compete on multiple fronts in the coming seasons.