Official: Eder signs Inter contract extension

There had been a lot of talk about it in the Italian media over the past few weeks, and now official confirmation has arrived.

On Thursday afternoon, Inter announced via their various social media pages that Eder has signed a contract extension that will keep him tied to the Nerazzurri until the end of the 2020-21 season.

“FC Internazionale Milano is very pleased to announce that Eder Citadin Martins will remain a Nerazzurri player until 30th June 2021,” a statement read on the club’s official website.

The Italian-Brazilian forward was born in Lauro Muller on 17th November 1986 and signed a contract extension today to extend his connection with the Nerazzurri which began in January last year. He’s since scored 11 goals in 63 appearances across all competitions.

Inter and Eder, a story in black and blue that will continue!”

Eder had already signed a four-year contract with Inter when he arrived from Sampdoria in January 2016, so this new deal is simply a matter of adding on an extra year. As far as his wages are concerned, Sport Mediaset believe that the forward’s original €2m-per-year agreement has not been altered (although obviously there is no official confirmation of that).

Shortly after Inter’s announcement Eder published a short message of his own on his official Instagram account, expressing his immense satisfaction at the news: “I’m happy and proud to have extended my contract with Inter. Thanks to the club, my team-mates and the fans! #SempreForzaInter”

Eder has played just 83 minutes of football for Inter so far this season, all of which have come in substitute appearances, but he remains a vital member of Luciano Spalletti’s squad this season in reserve to Mauro Icardi, Ivan Perisic and Antonio Candreva.

Spalletti sees Eder as a versatile and decisive 12th man who can fill any of the three attacking roles filled by his more prestigious team-mates, and for that reason was unwilling to let the 30 year-old leave during the summer when Inter received various offers for his services.

He may not have started a single Serie A game yet this season but he has been brought off the bench in 8 games out of 11, and provided a crucial contribution in Inter’s 1-1 draw away to Bologna in September, winning the penalty that Icardi then converted to secure the Nerazzurri a point.

Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images

It would be fair to say that Eder has never exactly been fully taken to heart by Inter supporters, with many opposing his arrival midway through the 2015-16 season when it seemed the team was in greater need of a central midfielder than another forward.

However in a season that sees Inter out of European competition and therefore unable to attract star-studded attacking back-up to the club, he will undoubtedly be a useful resource for Spalletti to draw upon between now and May.

Congratulations on the contract extension, Eder. Let’s hope you can start proving your true worth to Inter before long.