Here’s to you, Vincent Kompany…

In yet another significant boost ahead of the new season, one of the most decorated captains in the club’s history has committed his long-term future to City.

Kompany, 28, has put pen to paper on a new five-year contract which will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2019, at which point he will have been at the club for 11 years.

The Belgian joins Aleksandar Kolarov, Samir Nasri and David Silva in agreeing a new deal ahead of the 2014/15 kick-off against Newcastle on Sunday.

He told mcfc.co.uk, “When I arrived in 2008, I could never have dreamed that we could achieve what we have over the last six years but, for me, this is just the start of the journey.

“This team is stronger now than it’s ever been; we have competition for places in every position and a dressing room full of exceptional, motivated people who want to continue making history together.

“Lifting two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the Capital One Cup have been four of the best days of my life but I believe that there are many more of these occasions ahead.

“There are so many new landmarks and records to chase and I hope signing this new contract is taken as a statement of intent that I want to keep fighting for trophies for this special club.

...Vincent Kompany...

 

“We have a common goal and so much to look forward to - a family of clubs, the opening of City Football Academy, exciting players coming through our youth system – why would I go anywhere else?”

Since joining from Hamburg in 2008, Vincent has been a central figure in the transformation of City into a genuine force in the English game, turning out on more than 240 occasions in all competitions over the course of the last six seasons.

In that time, Kompany has cemented his status as one of the planet’s best, most consistent central defenders, as well as a universally respected ambassador for the club all over the world.



Starting off his City life as a defensive midfielder under Mark Hughes, the Belgian international took to life in the Premier League seamlessly, debuting in a 3-0 win over West Ham on 24 August 2008.

After an impressive first season, Vincent started the 2009/10 season in the centre of defence and quickly set about making the position his own, striking up what would become one of England’s stingiest defensive partnerships alongside Joleon Lescott.

As a marker to his successful adaptation to the English game, the defender was handed a new five-year contract in October 2009, just 14 months after he had signed for the club.

Prior to the 2010/11 season, Kompany reverted to his now-iconic no.4 shirt number.

...mcfc.co.uk...

 

It would turn out to be an historic campaign for Vincent and the club, as City ended their 35 year wait for silverware, lifting the FA Cup at Wembley in the same week they qualified for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

He was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the first time – an accolade he has since received on two more occasions.

The former Anderlecht man was also crowned City’s Players’ Player of the Year and won the Official Supporters’ Club Player of the Year award.

Kompany took over club captaincy from Carlos Tevez ahead of a 2011/12 season which ended with him lifting the Barclays Premier League title for the first time – ending City’s 44-year wait for a league title.

He played 31 times in the Premier League that season and scored what turned out to be one of the most important goals in the club’s recent history – the winner against Manchester United in a 1-0 win at the Etihad Stadium on 30 April 2012.

Since, Vincent has added another Premier League winners’ medal and the Capital One Cup to his collection in 2013/14 and has captained his nation at their first World Cup since 2002 this summer.

On the final day of the 2013/14 season, it’s difficult to imagine a more popular goalscorer in the 2-0 win over West Ham which saw City crowned champions for the second time in three years.

The joy on Vincent’s face as he flicked his team into an unassailable lead was reflected around the Etihad Stadium by the supporters who sing his name week-in, week-out.

Celebrate with Vincent and the rest of the first-team squad at City Live on Thursday night at Manchester Central. Tickets available here.