The Belgian defender has been with City since 2007 and he enjoyed a swift rise through the ranks, establishing himself as a crucial part of the side that won the FA Youth Cup in 2008 and subsequently going on to impress in the Elite Development Squad.
Rewarded with his first team debut in the FA Cup against Middlesbrough in January 2010, Boyata instantly looked comfortable at that level and made his Premier League bow that same month.
A series of accomplished defensive displays for the senior side, including in both legs of the League Cup semi-final against Manchester United, ensured Dedryck concluded an excellent 2009-10 campaign by being named the club’s Young Player of the Year.
It was a similar story at international level - after consistently catching the eye for Belgium under-19s and under-21s, he was awarded his first senior cap while still only 20 years old.
Boyata honed his craft with loan spells at Bolton Wanderers and FC Twente, before returning to Manchester to take his place in City’s first team squad.
He made six appearances for Manuel Pellegrini’s men in the double-winning 2013/14 campaign, including four games in the Capital One Cup on City’s successful journey to Wembley, and his talent has consistently kept him in the first team frame.
