Long Term Contracts in Football: An Overview

In professional football, most player agreements (football contracts) run for a few seasons – typically 3–5 years with an option for an extra year. A long-term contract usually means extending well beyond this norm. For example, a five-year deal for a 19-year-old is notable, and anything around 7–10 years is highly unusual. FIFA and UEFA set a general cap: senior players can only sign for up to five years at a time, so any longer deal is exceptional. Clubs use extended deals to lock down talent and amortize transfer fees over many seasons, while players seek the security of guaranteed wages. In practice, legal experts note that such long commitments raise special considerations (e.g. player autonomy and release clauses). For clubs and players drafting these complex documents, professionally drafted templates are useful – for instance, Legaldoc.ng provides a player contract template for guidance on structuring a compliant agreement.

Recent Examples of Long-Term Deals (2023–2024)

Several top players in 2023–24 signed unusually long contracts:

• Erling Haaland (Norway, Manchester City, Striker) – signed a ten-year deal through 2034.

• Cole Palmer (England, Chelsea, Forward) – extended his deal to 2033.

• Sunusi Ibrahim (Nigeria, CF Montréal, forward) – after a strong 2023 season he signed a 3-year extension (2024–2026) with an option for 2027.

• Alessia Russo (England, Arsenal, forward) – in late 2025 Arsenal announced she had agreed a “long-term” new contract (a 5-year deal to 2031) after winning the WSL Golden Boot.

Pros and Cons of Signing Long-Term Deals

Benefits: Long-term contracts offer financial security and stability. Players locked into multi-year deals receive guaranteed wages and often signing bonuses, allowing them to plan their careers and finances with confidence. Clubs benefit by spreading the transfer fee over many years (lower annual amortization) and ensuring that stars stay put. Such deals can also boost a club’s image (showing faith in a player) and let teams build around a known core. In practice, experts note a longer deal increases a player’s income security and can even ease a club’s financial burden via extended amortization.

Risks: On the downside, very long contracts can lock in inflexibility. If a player’s form dips or he gets injured, the club still pays his high salary even if he underperforms. Conversely, if a player’s value soars, he may find himself underpaid relative to the market. For the player, committing years ahead can limit moves: without a release or buy‑out clause, he cannot easily change clubs. FIFA’s 5-year cap exists because beyond that, a player’s mobility and market fairness become concerns. Legal analysts warn that a long-term deal can be restrictive to career prospects. For clubs, tying up a large part of the wage bill for many years may later hamper squad adjustments. In sum, experts advise balancing security against flexibility: many players and clubs prefer moderately long deals (3–5 years) with options or release clauses to manage these risks.

In conclusion, long-term football contracts (well beyond the usual 4–5 years) remain rare and somewhat controversial. They can reward players and clubs with stability and financial benefits, but they also carry notable risks if circumstances change. Footballers and teams must weigh these pros and cons carefully – and ensure contracts are legally sound. For those drafting such player agreements, using a professional template (for example, the LegalDoc.ng player contract template) can help cover all the necessary clauses and requirements.