Mikkel Damsgaard is close to signing a new contract with Brentford until 2030.
The attacking midfielder joined Brentford in August 2022 from Sampdoria on a five-year contract in a deal worth around €14million.
The Denmark international struggled during his first two seasons with Brentford due to a series of injuries, including a knee issue which required keyhole surgery, and only registered two assists in 49 appearances.
The 24-year-old’s performances have significantly improved this season with two goals and seven assists in 22 Premier League matches.
He has arguably become one of Brentford’s best attacking players alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Damsgaard will be rewarded with a new deal which is reflective of his growing importance to head coach Thomas Frank.
He will become the third Brentford player to secure their long-term future at the club this month, following Keane Lewis-Potter and Aaron Hickey.
Brentford are also close to signing full-back Michael Kayode this month on loan from Italian side Fiorentina with an option to buy.
‘Brentford reaping the rewards for patience in Damsgaard’
The narrative has completely changed around Damsgaard over the last six months.
Towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign, which marked his second year with Brentford, the fear was that he would never be able to cope with the physicality of English football. Damsgaard’s slight frame was constantly being bounced off the ball by stronger opponents.
He showed flashes of his brilliance but it felt like he might never match the potential he showed for Denmark at the European Championship in 2021 when he rifled a long-range free-kick past Jordan Pickford in the semi-final against England.
Damsgaard was diagnosed with an arthritic condition in 2022, before he joined Brentford, and he has spoken in interviews about the struggle to regain fitness and confidence. Brentford have been patient and supported him since he joined them and have reaped the rewards this season. Damsgaard has become the side’s main creative outlet and is exceptional at hassling defenders to win the ball back.
This new contract means he will spend the peak years of his career with Brentford.
GO DEEPER
Mikkel Damsgaard finally showing he can fill Christian Eriksen’s shoes
(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
