Manchester City have announced that defender Kyle Walker has extended his contract with the club until the summer of 2026.
The 33-year-old was strongly linked with a summer exit from the Etihad Stadium and recently admitted that he was "close" to joining Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
However, Walker - who was due to see his original deal expire in June 2024 - has been persuaded to put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension, and has since expressed his delight to have committed his future to the club.
"I'm thrilled to sign a new deal. My future is with Manchester City and that is the best thing for me," Walker told mancity.com.
"I've enjoyed every single moment of the past six years at this fantastic club. I have an amazing coach, great teammates and staff and our fans are the best. I feel supported on every single level.
"The treble-winning season is one I will never forget and we're ready to go again and try to win more trophies. I am delighted to continue at a club that competes for trophies every year and I can't wait to see what the next few years bring."
I'm not leaving! 💪 pic.twitter.com/kVwGkOz7i9
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 14, 2023
Director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "We are very happy that Kyle will be here until 2026. He is an outstanding footballer and his speed, strength and experience make him such an important member of our squad.
"For me, he is the best right-back in the world, a player with a unique set of attributes. He brings a very special dynamic to our team.
"Kyle has been a huge part of our recent success, and we are confident that he will help us compete for trophies in the upcoming seasons."
Following the departure of Ilkay Gundogan over the summer, Walker has captained Man City from the start in four of their opening five fixtures this season, and ahead of a team vote for a new permanent leader, the experienced defender has expressed his pride to have donned the armband in the early stages of the campaign.
"It's an honour," said Walker, "To wear the armband that some of the players in the past have worn such as David Silva, Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero, is incredible.
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"And off the back of a treble-winning season, to then go and captain the club for the first time and win the Super Cup, I have to admit, I felt very proud of myself.
"But the vote is going to come in and the lads will determine who they want to be their captain for the foreseeable season, and I wish whoever it is, all the success -hopefully it's me, but we'll see what happens."
Walker has spent the last six years at Man City and has made a total of 260 appearances for Pep Guardiola's side across all competitions, scoring six goals and providing 18 assists.
The England international, who scored his first Three Lions goal at the 77th time of asking last week, has been a key figure in the Citizens side that has won five Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields, one Champions League and one UEFA Super Cup since he joined from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017.
Walker, who played 39 times in City's historic treble-winning campaign in 2022-23, is expected to be involved in Saturday's Premier League encounter away against West Ham United at the London Stadium.
Oliver Thomas
