Man City star Ake delighted to sign new four-year contract with ‘the best club in the world’
Manchester City centre-back Nathan Ake has extended his contract with the treble-winners to 2027, the club announced on Saturday morning.
The Netherlands international has prolonged his previous deal by a further two years so he is committing himself to the Etihad Stadium outfit for another four seasons.
Ake was a key member of Pep Guardiola’s squad during Man City’s unforgettable treble-winning campaign in 2022-23. He made 41 appearances that term across all competitions.
The 28-year-old said: “This is the best club in the world, I have no doubts about that. Being a Manchester City player makes me incredibly proud every single day.
“It’s a football club that expects excellence in every area, which makes for the perfect environment to improve. It drives me on and makes me better. I am at the stage of my career where I want to keep developing and I can definitely do that here.
“Pep is the best manager in football – a genius who has made me see the game differently – so to be able to work with him for longer is a real privilege. I am so grateful to him for everything he has done for me, both personally and professionally.”
READ MORE: Top ten Spaniards in Premier League history ranked as Liverpool and Man City icons take places
The former Chelsea player joined City in a £41million deal from Bournemouth three years ago.
He initially had to wait for his opportunity but came of age last term, proving a reliable performer at both centre-back and left-back.
Director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “We have been delighted with Nathan’s development, so it’s great news for this football club that he is extending his time with us.
“There is no doubt he was a very important part of our treble success last season, but I believe he can be even better.”
City midfielder Kalvin Phillips recently revealed that he has he’s been told by Ake and Jack Grealish that the “first 12 months were the hardest of their careers” at the club.
“I spoke to quite a few of the players about it. Nathan Ake being one, Jack, they all said the same, they all said the first 12 months were the hardest of their City careers but after that, it doesn’t become easy, but easier,” Phillips said.
“I’m just going to go away for the off-season and enjoy myself with my family and girlfriend and friends and then come back fighting.
“I will definitely speak to Pep. I don’t know whether it will be in the summer because everyone enjoys their downtime and everyone wants their space away from football, so I’ll probably leave it until I go back for pre-season but I’ll just speak to him and have a good conversation.”
READ MORE: Chelsea demand Mbappe ‘hunger’, anti-French Klopp… why each Prem club won’t sign PSG star