Phil Foden has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester City, with an additional 12-month option, tying the 26-year-old to the club until 2030. The forward expressed his delight at committing his future to his boyhood club and his eagerness to work again with new manager Enzo Maresca, who served as Pep Guardiola's assistant during the treble-winning 2022-23 season.
Foden's Commitment and Ambition
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." He added, "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."
Reunion with Maresca
Foden is looking forward to working with Maresca again, saying: "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." The forward believes Maresca's possession-based style suits his game, noting: "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."
Most Decorated Player
With the departures of John Stones and Bernardo Silva, Foden is now City's most decorated player, having won 17 major honours: six Premier League titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, one Uefa Super Cup, and one Club World Cup. He expressed disbelief at his longevity, stating: "Not in a million years [would I think this]. I would say I had a dream to make it to the first team, but to stay this long, it's a dream really."
Form and Future Prospects
The new deal signals the confidence of Maresca and director of football Hugo Viana that Foden can regain his best form. After being a key player in City's 2023-24 title win and winning the Football Writers' Association and Professional Footballers' Association player of the year awards, Foden lost his starting place under Guardiola and was omitted from Thomas Tuchel's England World Cup squad. Last season, following a 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on 4 March, he started only two league games and was substituted after 58 minutes in the FA Cup final victory over Southampton. Foden also revealed he had been dealing with off-field issues and an ankle problem from a tackle by Casemiro in April.
Club's Faith in Foden
Viana praised Foden, saying: "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." He added: "At 26, his development is still ongoing, and we look forward to seeing the player Phil can become over the coming years."
