Manchester City forward Phil Foden has signed a four-year contract extension, giving new manager Enzo Maresca a major boost as he begins his tenure at the club.
The new agreement, which includes an option for a further one-year extension, secures the England international’s long-term future after a difficult period marked by injuries and a dip in form.
Foden, 26, had been entering the final year of his previous contract and endured a challenging campaign that saw him struggle for consistency and miss out on England’s squad for the recent World Cup.
The academy graduate expressed his delight at extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium, insisting his commitment to City remained unwavering.
“Committing my future to City means everything to me. Playing for this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do, and it’s always an honour to wear the shirt,” Foden said.
“It’s not lost on me that I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a historic period with so many titles won, but we’re always looking to the future and trying to win more.”
“I can only thank the club, staff, team-mates and fans who continue to put their faith in me and trust that I give everything I can for City.”
Since breaking into City’s first team, Foden has enjoyed a trophy-laden career, winning six Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups and five League Cups.
He is among the club’s most decorated players, alongside Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who both departed during the close season.
However, the midfielder endured a difficult spell last season, featuring in only seven of City’s final 26 matches before former manager Pep Guardiola stepped down and was replaced by Maresca in June.
Foden also previously opened up about his struggles with mental health while attempting to rediscover his best form.
The forward, who has scored 110 goals in 369 appearances for City, said he was excited to work under Maresca, having previously experienced his coaching methods during Guardiola’s treble-winning 2022-23 campaign.
“So excited. Obviously, I’ve had Enzo before. When we had him in the treble season, he was brilliant,” Foden said.
“His attention to detail, the small things that make a big difference, and even training with him at the moment, you can tell how good of a coach he is.”
Foden added that Maresca’s possession-based approach suited his style of play.
“The way he likes to play out from the back and play a lot of possession-based football, it suits my game really well.”
The contract extension represents a significant show of faith from City in one of their most successful academy graduates as Maresca begins the task of building a new era at the club.
AFP
