Dominik Szoboszlai called it one of the top three moments of his life – and for Liverpool fans, the news that their best player had signed a new contract to 2031 was almost as welcome. The 25-year-old Hungary captain has committed his peak years to a club that lost stars like Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold this summer, making his deal a rare piece of long-term stability at Anfield.
A contract extension in football is simply an agreement by a player and club to extend their existing working relationship beyond the original end date. Players typically sign initial contracts when they join a club, lasting three to five years. As the end approaches – or when the player performs especially well – clubs often offer new terms, usually with improved wages and a longer duration. Szoboszlai had two years left on his original deal when he put pen to paper on a new five-year contract, tying him to Liverpool until 2031.
“An explainer on football contract extensions using Szoboszlai's new Liverpool deal as a case study.”
Why do clubs rush to extend contracts? The main reason is to protect the value of their asset. If a player's contract runs down, they can leave for free or for a reduced fee – as Liverpool learned when Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konaté departed for Real Madrid. By extending Szoboszlai, Liverpool not only keep a player who scored 13 goals and provided 12 assists in a disappointing 2025-26 season, but also strengthen their negotiating position if another club comes calling. For the player, a new deal usually means a pay rise and the security of knowing their future is settled.
For UK readers, contract extensions are the lifeblood of the transfer market. They determine which stars stay and which leave, shaping club identities. Szoboszlai's extension is especially significant because Liverpool were in danger of losing their core: Salah, Andy Robertson, and Konaté all left this summer, while Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker have contracts expiring in 12 months. By securing Szoboszlai, Liverpool signal that they can still keep world-class talent – and the Hungarian has been tipped to become the club's vice-captain, a role that carries leadership weight in English football.
The difference between a contract extension and a transfer is also important. A transfer involves a buying club paying a fee to a selling club, while an extension keeps the player at the same club. Sometimes, as with Youri Tielemans joining Manchester United for £35m from Aston Villa, a release clause in the player's contract allows them to leave if a club meets a set price. Szoboszlai's extension removes any such clause, giving Liverpool full control.
Key questions answered:
Q: What is a contract extension in football? A contract extension is a new agreement between a club and a player that lengthens their existing contract. It often includes improved wages and terms, and prevents the player from leaving for free when their original deal expires.
Q: How long do Premier League contract extensions usually last? Extensions typically run for three to five years, but can be longer. Szoboszlai's new deal runs to 2031 – a five-year extension from when it was signed, meaning he will be 30 when it expires.
Q: Why do players sign contract extensions? Players sign extensions for financial security, the chance to stay at a club they love, or because the club offers a better long-term project. Szoboszlai said he wants to "win everything" – the Premier League and Champions League – and believes Liverpool give him that chance.
What happens next? Szoboszlai will travel with Liverpool on their pre-season tour of the United States, where new head coach Andoni Iraola will build his team around the midfielder. With his future settled, Szoboszlai is a strong candidate for the club's vice-captaincy. Meanwhile, other Premier League clubs will continue to negotiate extensions of their own – or, like Manchester United, trigger release clauses to sign players from rivals.
