Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte signs new two-year deal

Laporte said: "I could not be happier to commit my long-term future to Manchester City.

"The club offers me everything I need to improve my game. I've already made great strides and I want to continue getting better and better.

"Obviously, I want to win silverware and I feel City is the best place to fulfil all of my ambitions."

Laporte came through the youth ranks at Athletic Bilbao and was first targeted by City in 2016.

He chose to turn down a move at that time, preferring to continue developing in Spain, but City eventually got their man and believe they have done smart business.

Director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Aymeric is a huge talent and the fact he has committed his best years to us is something to celebrate.

"We knew before we brought him here that he had outstanding potential but his improvement over the past 12 months has been exceptional.

"We want to construct a young, vibrant side, and Aymeric fits perfectly into our plans. His style of play suits us and his attitude since the day he arrived has been first class.

"He can be as good as he wants to be and Manchester City will be a better side with him in it over the coming seasons."

The announcement comes two days before City face Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.

Laporte expects it to be the first of several big games as City chase what would be an unprecedented quadruple.

He said: "All the matches that we have got from now until the end of the season are finals. We will try to win them all and try to achieve our objectives."

City thrashed Chelsea 6-0 when the sides met at the Etihad Stadium a fortnight ago but Laporte says that counts for little now.

He said: "Their results recently haven't been good but they have a great squad, great players and they have shown that they know how to play good football.

"They have a great team and we have to concentrate on ourselves, do our things well and hopefully we will.

"We are expecting a very difficult match, very physical and we have to play at our best level if we are to win."

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