Ruben Dias will form an important part of Manchester City’s rebuild after committing to signing a new four-year contract.
The Portugal international has penned a two-year extension, with the option of a further year to 2030, and is viewed as a future captain.
City’s director of football Hugo Viana labelled Dias ‘the ultimate professional’ and it is seen as a coup to tie him down during his peak years.
Dias, 28, is a previous winner of the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Year.
‘City is where I want to be – at the top of the sport, competing for trophies,’ Dias said. ‘The club’s ambition aligns perfectly with mine and as a footballer there is nothing better than that.
‘I love Manchester – it is my home now – and I love the Manchester City fans. When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else.
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias has signed a new four-year contract with the club
Dias, celebrating with goalkeeper James Trafford at Wolves, is seen as a future captain at City
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‘My job now is to be the best I can be for the duration of this contract, so that I can play my part in helping us challenge for more silverware.’
City have made a raft of new signings as they move towards a new era but the likes of Dias and Erling Haaland are seen as crucial to the team’s spine throughout the transition.
The pair are part of Pep Guardiola’s leadership group, alongside Rodri and captain Bernardo Silva.
‘There is new energy, new players,’ Dias added. ‘I remember saying to Tijjani [Reijnders] before the [Wolves] game… I felt thrilled by saying it, “my friend, welcome to the Premier League, you’re going to enjoy it”.
‘Because this is the level. This is the dream for everyone. Whatever they might be, if you’re a footballer, a top one, and you have ambition and you want to be at the top, this is where you want to end up.
‘Even though I’ve just started my sixth season, just saying that to him made me feel like a young kid that just came in as well and I kind of shared the feeling of being new to all this. That’s the kind of feeling that keeps you winning, keeps you hungry, keeps you focused.’
