Brentford tie down Michael Kayode to new long-term contract

The Young Player of the Season nominee has commited to a new deal, with the right-back putting pen to paper on a contract that runs until the summer of 2032, with a club option for a further year

The 21-year-old is the latest of this season’s key figures to commit. Igor Thiago, the league’s second-highest scorer, signed a new deal in February. Head coach Keith Andrews had his contract extended in the spring. Between them, they picked up three of the Premier League’s end-of-season award nominations. No club outside the traditional top six had more.

Brentford’s model has always been about buying well and selling high, and it has kept them competitive in the Premier League. But locking in all three on long-term deals goes further than that.

After a ninth-placed finish that saw them chasing a first ever European qualification until the final weeks, it tells supporters the club wants another crack at it.

Kayode missed just one Premier League match in 2025/26, making 37 league appearances and 56 across all competitions. He finished seventh in the entire league for successful dribbles, higher than any other defender, and fourth among defenders for key passes. He made 64 tackles and 38 interceptions.

His long throws have perhaps attracted the most interest of the wider footballing world, and they were an extremely usefl tool, generating 40 shots and five goals last season. The numbers are undoubtedly impressive, but the real joy of Kayode comes from seeing him live. His energy and tenacity are ever present, and when he picks up the ball and drives in field, it energises the Bees faithful.

Andrews was effusive. ‘Michael had an amazing season last year,’ he said. ‘He epitomised everything good that we do. His development and evolution has been really, really impressive.’

Kayode was characteristically warm. ‘I feel like this club is a family,’ he said. ‘It feels like I’ve been playing for Brentford for 10 years.’

It is a statement piece of business from Brentford, and should any of the clubs circling want to take Kayode out of west London, they will find the door firmly shut.

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