In-form England winger Raheem Sterling has signed a new contract to extend his stay with Manchester City until 2023.
He will be only 24 in December and celebrated his new contract by scoring twice in Sunday’s 6-1 thrashing of Southampton and followed that with a superb solo goal during City’s 6-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Sterling originally joined the club in 2015, lifting the League Cup at the end of his first year in Manchester.
He went on to become a regular starter under manager Pep Guardiola and lifted the League Cup again, following it with the Premier League title at the end of a record-breaking season in May.
During that season, Sterling scores 23 goals with 17 assists in 46 matches in all competitions under Guardiola and continued that form into this season with 7 goals in 15 games.
With little over 18 months to go on his contract there had been speculation that Sterling could leave the club cheaply before news emerged of him verbally agreeing a deal earlier in the week.
The deal will make him one of City’s highest earners with potential salary of £300,000 per week.
Sterling said: “I’m delighted to sign. My development here has been incredible.
“I felt from the minute I got here it was the right choice for me. It’s really paid off for me and I’m really grateful.
“Every season you come in you want to do better than your previous season. You want to try and develop and get better.
“With the facilities we’ve got here there’s no reason not to. With the coaching staff and the players we have in this team it’s the perfect environment to develop and get better.”
Manchester City director of football, Txiki Begiristain, said: “This is a significant moment for the Club. Raheem has improved dramatically in the past two seasons and is now one of the Premier League’s best attacking players. His statistics tell their own story.
“He’s quick, strong and excellent in front of goal – everything a modern-day forward needs to excel.
“We’re all delighted he has committed his future to City.”