Official: Venezia extends contract with 24-year-old center-back Santiago until 2031

Italian Serie A club Venezia officially announced that it has extended the contract of Belgian center-back Joel Santien. The new contract extends the original expiration date of 2029 by two years, until June 30, 2031.

The 24-year-old Santiago, a product of the Leuven youth academy in Old High Freiburg, made his first-team debut in Ligue 1 on April 15, 2023. During his time at Leuven, he made 43 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

In August 2024, Santiago Santín transferred to Venezia for €3 million. To date, he has made 60 appearances for Venezia, contributing 1 goal and 2 assists, and played a key role in the Oranje's return to Serie A last season.

After finalizing his contract extension, Santiago's joy was palpable. In a statement, he said, "I am delighted to extend my contract with Venezia Football Club and hope to wear the orange and green jersey for a long time to come. The bond between the players and the fans is very strong and can be truly felt in every match. This is what makes the club so special."

For Santiago, his primary task after renewing his contract is to help Venezia avoid relegation. Venezia had a poor start to the season, sitting at the bottom of Serie A with zero points after five rounds.

Image source: Internet/Venice official website