Football
Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC 5y

Man United tie De Gea to long-term contract

David De Gea has vowed to help Manchester United 'win trophies again' after ending months of uncertainty over his future by signing a new contract at Old Trafford until at least 2023.

The Spain goalkeeper, signed from Atletico Madrid for £18.3 million in 2011 as Edwin van der Sar's long-term successor, had been set to become a free agent at the end of the season, with his contract due to expire in June 2020.

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But despite interest from Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain and United's decline in the Premier League, the 28-year-old has committed himself to a new deal at Old Trafford that could see him tied to the club until 2024 due to the option to extend the contract by a further year.

Having won every major honour at United with the exception of the Champions League since arriving in Manchester, De Gea said he is confident that the club will return to a position of dominance over the course of his new contract.

"It has been a privilege to spend eight years at this great club and the opportunity to continue my career at Manchester United is a genuine honour," De Gea said. "Since I arrived here I could never have imagined I would play over 350 games for this club.

"Now my future is fixed, all I want is to help this team achieve what I believe we can and win trophies again, together.

"As one of the senior players in the squad I want to support and lead in any way that I can to assist the younger players, so they know what it means to play here.

"I still feel that I have so much more to achieve at the club and I truly believe that Manchester United can build on the club's tradition of success and reward our fans for their support.

"I am committed to continue repaying the fans for all of the care that they've shown me during the good times and the bad."

De Gea's decision to stay is a major boost for United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who said on Friday that he was confident that the goalkeeper would commit his long-term future to the club.

Solskjaer said United have held onto the world's best goalkeeper by keeping De Gea.

"Over recent years, David has proved himself to be the best in the world and a vital part of our plans as we look to take Manchester United back to where it belongs," Solskjaer said. "David is a fantastic person and his outstanding quality provides the perfect base to our defence.

"Over his time here, David has really understood the values of playing for Manchester United and now represents everything you want in a goalkeeper.

"As a player he is still hugely determined and hungry to achieve more. We all look forward to working together to meet those ambitions over the coming years."

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