Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has welcomed Yaya Toure’s decision to sign a new four-year contract with the club.
The 29-year-old Ivorian was linked with a move away from the Premier League champions in recent weeks, but has now pledged his long-term future to the club – committing his services to City on a deal believed to be worth in the region of £220,000-a-week.
Mancini said: “I am happy because Yaya, for me, is one of the best players in the world and we are happy he plays for us and he stays here for another four years.
“I think it is very important for the club.
“I think that Yaya is a player that can play until 36, 37 because he can play in front of the defence, like a central defender, I think he can play every position.”
Pleased to have his future resolved, Toure can now see himself ending his career with Roberto Mancini’s side.
“This is where I want to be,” Toure told the club’s official website. “When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something; now it is about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.
“I will never forget how I have been treated here by the fans, the club and the owners and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.”