Manchester City’s Phil Foden Signs Four-year Contract Extension

London: Manchester City forward Phil Foden backed new manager Enzo Maresca by signing a four-year contract extension on Wednesday.

Foden’s deal provides the England national team with much-needed stability after a tumultuous period.

The 26-year-old had difficulty maintaining his form during an injury-plagued period in which he was left out of the England squad at the last World Cup.

His contract was due to expire at the end of next season, but his new deal, which includes an option to extend for another year, solves his long-term future.

“Dedicating 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 honor to wear the jersey,” Foden said.

“It is not forgotten that I was lucky enough to be part of a historic period when so many championships were won, but we are always looking to the future and trying to win more.”

“I can only thank the club, the staff, my teammates and the fans for continuing to believe in me and trusting me to give everything I can for City, and I hope I can repay you in the years to come.”

Foden won six Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and five League Cups with City after graduating from the club’s youth academy.

He became the most decorated player in City history, along with Bernardo Silva and John Stones, who left towards the end of the season.

But a year ago, Foden began struggling with his mental health off the pitch as he struggled to replicate his form from previous seasons.

Foden, who scored 110 goals in 369 career appearances for City, was in the starting 11 in just seven of the last 26 games before manager Pep Guardiola resigned at the end of the season and former Chelsea manager Maresca took over in June.

Foden said he was looking forward to working with Maresca, who is part of Guardiola’s coaching staff, during the treble-winning season in 2022-23.

“I’m very excited. Honestly, I’ve seen Enzo before. When we saw him in the third season, he was amazing,” said Foden.

“His attention to detail, the little things that make a big difference and even just training with him now, you can tell what a good coach he is.

“The fact that he likes to play from the back and play possession-based plays really well with my game.”