The attacking midfielder follows in the boot prints of international stars including England keeper Joe Hart and Belgium and Blues skipper Vincent Kompany who have also committed their long term future to the Blues this summer as the Club seeks to solidify a core of key talent within its squad.
The news is a big and timely boost ahead of Tuesday night’s Uefa Champions League blockbuster in the Bernabeu against Real Madrid when Silva will return to his home land for the second time in City colours.
Silva’s new deal has been met with joy by fans at the Etihad Stadium (see below) and the mercurial midfielder is equally popular with his own teammates who have nicknamed him ‘Merlin’ thanks to his wizardry and trickery on the ball.
The silky skilled Spaniard has already clocked up more than 70 appearances for City since he signed from Valencia in July 2010. Evidence of his popularity with Blues supporters came via a hat-trick of club player of the month awards in his first season at the club.
He added a Premier League player of the month award to his list of successes last season when he was one of the most called upon players in City’s history-making title surge.
Silva’s contribution to City’s first top-flight championship in 44 years earned Silva a place in the Premier League team of the year and the runners-up spot in the Player of the Year awards voted for by his peers. He was also a fantasy football manager’s dream finishing at the summit of the assists table.
Last summer he took his Spain caps total towards the 70 mark in Euro 2012. He scored in the final against Italy and was named in the team of the tournament by Uefa. His winners medal sits beside the one earned in the World Cup in South Africa.
Silva will speak about the agreement at the Bernabeu later this evening at the Blues press conference with boss Roberto Mancini but spoke briefly about the deal before he left for the flight to the Spanish capital:
“I’m very pleased because I’ve been here for two years now and I feel very happy here at the club, in the city and with all the people. So now I’m delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me,” he beamed.
“We’ve won the Premier League title and two other trophies too, and the team is growing and we are now aiming at the Champions League and so that also is another reason to want to stay here and try and win it. As I said, I feel very comfortable here and I want to try and win trophies like those.
“These last two years have gone very well and so let’s hope that the next five go as well or even better.
“The fans have always given me their support since I arrived here, and recently they‘ve been wanting me to sign, so hopefully this goes someway to thanking them for the affection they’ve shown towards me, something which also helped me decide to put pen to paper.”
Your comments:
@adamjpayne - “Top news about @21LVA, world class player, here’s to the next 5 years & plenty more trophies hopefully.”
@JamesSAwatson - “Great news on David Silva signing a new contract at @MCFC - Big morale boost before the trip to Madrid!!”
@Jaydawes88 - “Silva is one, if not the best player I’ve had the pleasure of watching live”
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