Arriving at the end of an already fantastic night for supporters, news that Sergio Agüero had committed his long-term future to City drew rapturous applause and a standing ovation from those inside Manchester Central for the club’s annual season launch party.
The Argentine ace has agreed terms on a new five-year deal which will run until 2019.
Speaking on this new contract, the striker smiled: “The reality seems to be that ever since I came here, during every close season, there have always been rumours suggesting that I might be returning to Spain.
“There has always been this speculation but I certainly never pay much attention to it.
“People hear this stuff flying around and they take it seriously but I can tell the fans and everyone at City to relax, I’m going to be here until I see out my contract.
“I get to play in front of our amazing supporters every week, who give me so much strength and hunger to keep helping the team as best as I can.
...Sergio Aguero...
“Each year, I aim to better the previous one. Last season was incredible but I’m not just satisfied with two Premier League titles, I want more and I can achieve them here alongside my teammates.
“This club is special; the fans, the stadium, the staff, the atmosphere, the new facility we’re moving into – everything!
“We have enjoyed lots of success and some incredible moments but the overall vision for the future and where we are going are the reasons why I wanted to stay here, to win trophies and to keep making history through my best years.”
Kun follows in the footsteps of Samir Nasri, Aleksandar Kolarov, Vincent Kompany and David Silva in extending his deal at the Etihad, as the club receives a welcome boost ahead of the new campaign.
Since his arrival on 28 July 2011, the 26-year-old has lifted two Premier League titles, the Capital One Cup and the FA Community Shield.
In that time, he has made 122 appearances, scoring an incredible 75 goals – and there are certainly some memorable strikes among that collection.
Responsible for arguably the most important City goal of all time with his injury-time winner to secure a first league title in 44 years, Agüero is already certain to go down in the history books as a club legend.
His minutes-per-goal ratio last season propelled him into contention for the mantle of the Premier League’s most potent striker of all-time.
...Aguero signs new deal...
Sergio has averaged a goal every 116 minutes in the league over the course of his three-year stay with the 2013/14 champions.
It certainly didn’t take Kun long to settle into life in England after he sealed his switch to City from Atletico Madrid in July 2011.
Agüero left supporters inside the Etihad salivating on his debut, as he climbed off the bench with half an hour to go on the opening night of the 2011/12 season to score twice against Swansea, including a stunning, dipping 30-yard strike in stoppage time.
His first hat-trick for the club wasn’t far away, arriving on his third start, against Wigan on 10 September.
The Argentine would go on to score 30 goals in all competitions in his first season, becoming the first player to hit that landmark for the club in a decade.
Agüero was named Etihad Player of the Year in his first season and won the Etihad Goal of the Season accolade for his 30th and final goal of the campaign.
He carried this devastating goalscoring form into his second campaign, scoring 17 goals in all competitions as the team finished as runners-up in the FA Cup and the Premier League.
Last season, Agüero cemented his status as one of world football’s greatest finishers, ending the season with 28 goals in all competitions from just 32 starts.
In October 2013, he was named Premier League Player of the Month for the first time after scoring four goals in three games.
Although injuries limited the 26-year old to less appearances than he and supporters would have liked in 2013/14, when he played, he generally scored, leaving manager Manuel Pellegrini to declare his striker as one of the planet’s best.
Speaking after watching his striker score twice in November 2013’s 6-0 demolition of Spurs, Pellegrini said: “For me, Kun is just after Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the three best players in the world.”
His 28 goals fired the club to a second Premier League title in three years and, after helping his Argentina side to the final of the World Cup, Agüero is fit and raring to aid the champions in their title defence.
This new deal will keep Kun at City past his 31st birthday, at which point he will have been at the club for eight years.
Watch Sergio discuss his new contract in his interview on CityTV here and view the infographic of his City career so far here.
Highlights from City Live, including the moment this contract renewal was announced, will be on the website in due course.
