Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has become the latest member of the Premier League-winning squad to commit his future to the club with a new long-term deal.
A day after David Silva penned a new deal, and following on from Samir Nasri and Aleksandar Kolarov, the 28-year-old Kompany signed a five-year contract.
Should he see it through to its conclusion, Kompany will have been with the club for 11 years.
“When I arrived in 2008, I could never have dreamed that we could achieve what we have over the last six years but, for me, this is just the start of the journey,” Kompany said on the club’s website.
“This team is stronger now than it’s ever been; we have competition for places in every position and a dressing room full of exceptional, motivated people who want to continue making history together.
“Lifting two Premier League titles, the FA Cup and the League Cup have been four of the best days of my life but I believe that there are many more of these occasions ahead.
“There are so many new landmarks and records to chase and I hope signing this new contract is taken as a statement of intent that I want to keep fighting for trophies for this special club.
“Why would I go anywhere else?”
The Belgium international joined City from Hamburg as a 22-year-old in 2008, ahead of the club’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour, being utilised in defensive midfield by then manager Mark Hughes.
After an impressive first season, Kompany started the 2009/10 season in the centre of defence, forming one of England’s tightest defensive partnerships alongside Joleon Lescott.
His success at Etihad Stadium was soon reewarded with a new five-year contract in October 2009, just 14 months after he had signed for the club.
The end of that season marked a historic occasion in City history, with Kompany starting in the FA Cup final win against Stoke City that ended a 35 year wait for silverware.
Kompany took over club captaincy from striker Carlos Tevez ahead of a 2011/12 season, and helped the club to the Premier League title in his first full season wearing the armband – his memorable headed goal in the 1-0 win over rivals Manchester United proving one of the pivotal moments of a dramatic run-in.
After Manuel Pellegrini guided City into the last-16 of the Champions League for the first time last year only to be defeated by Barcelona, Kompany has set his sights on helping the team go even further in this year’s competition.
He said: “The Champions League is about measuring yourself – not only against the best in your country but against some of the best in the world. It’s a different challenge.
“We felt last year there was not too much difference between us and the top sides. We all know there are three or four sides who are a little bit above the rest. But that’s the work we are doing here on the training ground, trying to bridge the gap and then trying to become stronger.”
Kompany has made more than 240 appearances for City in all competitions.