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Manchester City have been given a boost as midfield kingpin Kevin de Bruyne signs a new two year contract extension, which ties him to the club until 2025.
The Belgian international, who scored City’s opening goal in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund, joined the blues in 2015 for a then club record fee of £54m. Since then, the midfield star has been widely acknowledged as one of the best midfielders in the world.
Speaking after signing the new contract, de Bruyne expressed his delight at being with the club. “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.
“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.
“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.”
De Bruyne has scored 65 goals in 255 appearances for City, but it his contribution from midfield that has earned him the most accolades, with recent examples being his pass to Gabriel Jesus against Leicester on Saturday, and the cross to Ilkay Gundogan on Tuesday night that eventually fell to Phil Foden to score the winner.
His performances have helped City to two Premier League titles, four League Cups, one FA Cup and one Community Shield. Individually, he was named as the PFA Player’s Player of the Year for the 2019/20 season, named City’s player of the season three times and has been nominated for the Ballon D’or on five occasions.
And de Bruyne is on the hunt for more silverware as the blues chase titles on four fronts. “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.”