Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the former captain and all-time leading scorer of the Armenian national team, will play at least one more season for Inter Milan. The Italian champions announced Tuesday that the 37-year-old midfielder has agreed to a one-year contract extension that keeps him at the San Siro until June 30, 2027.
Mkhitaryan had been set to become a free agent when his previous deal expired on June 30, but chose to continue rather than retire. According to Italian outlets, his renewal is the club’s first move of the summer transfer window.
The new agreement is understood to come with a significant pay cut. Transfer market expert Nicolò Schira reported that Mkhitaryan will earn a salary of around €2 million per season plus bonuses, down from the €3.8 million he was believed to be earning previously.
In its statement, the club praised the qualities that have made the Armenian a fixture in its midfield. “Experience, leadership, a winning mentality, and unwavering composure and control in midfield: after four highly successful seasons, Henrikh Mkhitaryan will continue his Inter journey until 2027,” Inter said, adding that since arriving at the club he has brought vast international experience, outstanding technical quality, and exceptional tactical intelligence to the Nerazzurri midfield.
According to Italian outlets, Mkhitaryan was the only one of five senior players with expiring contracts to remain, with Yann Sommer, Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and Stefan de Vrij all departing. His renewal was seen by Italian media as a strategic decision by the new-look side led by head coach Cristian Chivu, who reportedly considers the veteran an important part of his plans as Inter reshapes its squad.
Mkhitaryan joined Inter from Roma as a free agent in the summer of 2022 and quickly established himself as a key figure, valued for his tactical intelligence, tempo control, and reliability in the biggest matches.
Over four seasons in a Nerazzurri shirt, Mkhitaryan has made 187 appearances, scoring 12 goals and providing 21 assists, and has won two Serie A titles, two Coppa Italia trophies, and two Supercoppa Italiana titles, while also reaching two Champions League finals. Among his most memorable moments came the second goal in the first leg of the 2023 Champions League semifinal against AC Milan, and his brace in the Derby della Madonnina in September 2023, when Inter beat their city rivals 5-1 early in their Second Star campaign. In the 2025-26 season, he featured in 39 matches, scoring four goals, including a crucial opener away at Lecce in a pivotal match in the title race and the strike that sealed the Scudetto-clinching home win over Parma, his goal to make it 2-0 setting the celebrations in motion at San Siro as Inter went on to complete the Double.
The extension allows Inter to preserve continuity in midfield, and reflects the standing Mkhitaryan retains both on the pitch and inside the dressing room. Beginning his fifth season with the club, the Armenian will look to help his teammates defend the Double won last season and continue to compete for trophies with the Milan giants.
