KEVIN DE BRUYNE has handed Manchester City a huge boost by signing a new four-year deal at the Etihad.
The Belgian has agreed to extend his stay with the Premier League leaders until 2025 – meaning he will have spent a decade with the club.
SunSport reported on March 10 that an agreement was edging closer after KdB knocked back the first offer – and they shook hands on the agreement earlier this week.
He was previously on around £300,000 a week at City and is believed to have agreed a small increase.
But crucially the former Chelsea man was given the assurances on the football side that the club’s ambitions matched his own.
De Bruyne is on the brink of a third Premier League title but is desperate to win the Champions League – the one club trophy missing from his CV.
He said: “Pep and I see football in the same way. Having that relationship with a manager is so important to me because our objectives are totally aligned, and we want the same things.
“This football club is geared for success. It offers me everything I need to maximise my performance, so signing this contract was a straightforward decision.
“I am playing the best football of my career and I honestly feel there is more to come.
“I could not be happier. Since joining City in 2015, I have felt at home. I love the fans; my family are settled here in Manchester and my own game has developed really well.
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“My focus now is on ensuring we have a successful end to the current campaign.
“Our results and performances so far have been excellent, but we need to make sure we end the season with the silverware we deserve.”
Director of football Txiki Begiristain has been working on the deal for several months and it has been complicated by the fact De Bruyne is currently without an agent.
He said: “This is a very significant moment for this football club.
“Kevin is, without question, one of the best players in world football. His performance level has been remarkably consistent since coming to City, and in the last few years he has developed into one of the game’s elite players.
“His talent is unquestionable – but he is also a consummate professional whose dedication to Manchester City during his time here has been nothing short of remarkable.
“He constantly seeks to improve, and his approach is the perfect blueprint for any young player looking to carve out a career.”
“We are delighted he is our player and I look forward to watching him during his peak years here at Manchester City.”
De Bruyne, who turns 30 in June, joined City from Wolfsburg in summer 2015 for £54million.
He has made 254 appearances upto now, winning seven major trophies during his time at the club and last summer became the first City player ever to be named PFA Player of the Year.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
