Yaya Toure signs £45m contract to stay at Manchester City
Ivory Coast international has committed his future to the reigning Premier League champions
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Yaya Toure has agreed a new contract with Manchester City that will tie him to the club until 2017.
There has been speculation over the future of the Ivory Coast international with his agent recently suggesting he could look to move elsewhere, however the midfielder has now committed his long term future to the Sky Blues.
It is reported that the four-year deal will see his current wages of just over £210,000 remain unchanged, a sum that will net the 29-year-old £45m over the course of the contract.
“This is where I want to be,” Toure told Manchester City's official website. “When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.
“I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.
“I want to continue winning titles and trophies and continue to make history. I have enjoyed all of my time here and can’t wait for the next chapter. This is an incredible club to be part of with fans that support a team to the end whatever the circumstances.”
Since joining in the summer of 2010 in a £24m deal from Barcelona, Toure has been a key part of the revolution at the Etihad Stadium. The midfielder scored crucial goals on the way to City's 2011 FA Cup victory, including the winner in the semi-final and final, as well as delivering them the Premier League title last season.
Announcing the deal, Manchester City said Toure " is excited by the prospect of extending his career at the club he calls home" and is "determined to end the season with more silverware and then fire the Blues to new glories next season."
The player himself added: “Of course now it looks likely that we will not successfully defend the Premier League title and that is sad for all of us but we can still finish second and win the FA Cup for a second time in three years and that is still an achievement for a club that won nothing for a long time.
“We must try to finish on a high note and then start preparing to win more next season! Football is always a challenge and always a puzzle to solve and that is why we all love the game.
“You have to use your skill, intelligence and strength to constantly improve and that is what we at City intend to do.”
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