Former Arsenal and Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner has shed light on a bizarre clause that was part of the final contract of his career, labelling it as ‘damn legendary’.
The 36-year-old became well-known for his rebellious side during his spell at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, scoring 24 goals in 108 appearances for the club.
After once claiming to be the best striker in the world of football, earning himself the nickname ‘Lord Bendtner’, he became a sort of cult hero at Emirates Stadium before his retirement in 2021 at the age of 33.
Arsenal fans around the world will remember him for his goal at Camp Nou and his winner off the bench against Spurs in 2007, a goal that is still credited as the fastest goal scored by a substitute in Premier League history
READ MORE: Some Arsenal fans laud Nicklas Bendtner after retirement from football
Bizarre clause in Nicklas Bendtner’s FC Copenhagen contract
Having left Arsenal after 10 years at the club, the Danish international went on to play for the likes of Juventus and Nottingham Forest before returning to his hometown club FC Copenhagen in 2019.
The marquee signing crashed the club’s official website and the ‘Bendtner 32’ print was no longer available due to demand after the FC Copenhagen fans eagerly anticipated his arrival.
In a deal completed with minutes of the Superliga transfer window remaining, the club decided it was in their best interests to insert a clause into Bendtner’s contract that he himself labelled as ‘damn legendary’.
As The Star reported, FC Copenhagen were taking a calculated risk and were keen to get the ‘maximum possible value’ out of their talisman so they ensured the signing had one strict rule.
Bendtner’s off-pitch antics came to the fore and he was forced to accept his agent’s request to rein in his drinking and hobbies outside of football.
“You must accept that it must be stated in the contract that from now until the New Year you must not drink alcohol and you must not ski,” his agent said.
The Dane had many controversies surrounding partying and falling out with teammates such as William Gallas and Emmanuel Adebayor, but he knew he would still accept the unique clause.
“I don’t think everyone has it in the contract,” Bendtner jokingly said in his documentary. “Damn legendary.”
However, the spell at FC Copenhagen was short-lived after the deal was terminated a few months later with one goal in nine appearances to Bendtner’s name.
What Nicklas Bendtner did after retiring
Joining up with Danish fourth-tier side Tarnby FF during the pandemic in 2020, Bendtner was part of their ‘M+32 Old Boys’ team after having his bizarre contract terminated.
It was something he had planned for the end of his career and the team’s organiser welcomed him: “We are very happy that Nicklas wants to stay in shape with some of the guys he has known for many years. This opportunity is something we have been discussing for many years.”
He appeared as an attacking midfielder in his debut before retiring officially at the end of the season saying, ‘All your life you play football and from one day to the next it ends’.
Since then, Bendtner has appeared in a documentary, on TV and has even taken part in some e-sports tournaments.
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