‘A unique talent’: Phil Foden signs new four-year Manchester City contract

Phil Foden has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City, saying he is looking forward to “trying to win more” at his boyhood club.

The fresh deal, which has an additional 12-month option, ties the 26-year-old to the club until 2030 and he is is relishing working again with Enzo Maresca. The new City manager was Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 treble-winning season.

Foden said: “Committing my future to City means everything to me. Playing for this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do and it’s always an honour to wear the shirt. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a historic period with so many titles won, but we’re always looking to the future and trying to win more.

“I can only thank the club, staff, teammates and fans who continue to put their faith in me. I hope I’ll be able to repay you for years to come. I can’t wait to work with Enzo again. He was brilliant during the treble season – someone all the players respected and loved working with. To have him back here is exciting. Personally, I know I’ve improved so much from working with our coaches and world-class squad. I am excited for the next phase of my career at this great club.”

With John Stones and Bernardo Silva having left the club, Foden is City’s most decorated player with 17 major honours. The forward has won six Premier Leagues, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups one Uefa Super Cup and one Club World Cup.

Foden expressed disbelief at how long he has been at City. “Not in a million years [would I think this],” he said. “I would say I had a dream to make it to the first team, but to stay this long, it’s a dream really. And like I said, I’m just enjoying it and trying to make the most of it.”

The new deal indicate the firm belief of Maresca, and Hugo Viana, the director of football, that Foden can recapture his form. He lost his regular starting place under Guardiola and he was not selected by Thomas Tuchel for England’s World Cup squad. Foden’s form has fallen away since he was a key part of City’s 2023-24 title success and winning the Football Writers’ Association and Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year awards.

Last season, after the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on 4 March, Foden started only two league games and was substituted after 58 minutes of the 2-1 FA Cup final victory over Southampton. Foden has spent his whole career with City, joining as an eight-year-old.

Viana said: “Everyone at Manchester City is incredibly proud of Phil. He represents everything good about our academy. He is a unique talent, and his creativity is a joy to watch. None of what he has achieved would be possible without the focus, dedication and humility to work hard in every moment and absorb all of the knowledge available to him through our coaches and players.

“At 26, his development is still ongoing, and we look forward to seeing the player Phil can become over the coming years.”

After the 2025 FA Cup 1-0 final defeat to Crystal Palace, Foden revealed he had been struggling with off-field issues. He added that he had also played with pain after suffering an ankle problem sustained from a Casemiro tackle in a goalless draw at Manchester United in April.

Foden is hopeful that Maresca’s mode of play will suit him. “You can tell by the first few sessions that I’ve done with him – the way he likes to play out from the back and play a lot of possession-based – it suits my game really well. I’m looking forward to that and hopefully it can help my game go to the next stage,” he said.

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