Yaya Toure expresses desire to see out career at Manchester City
Midfielder has been pivotal in success since joining from Barcelona
Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure has expressed his desire to see out the remainder of his career at the club.
The Ivory Coast international has become a hugely influential figure in Roberto Mancini's side since arriving from Barcelona in the summer of 2010.
He may not yet have reproduced his scintillating form of last season but the 29-year-old stressed he still has more improvements to make.
"I would love to end my career here," said Toure.
"Nobody knows what the next step is in football and I believe that if you stop dreaming, you should stop playing football, but this is where I want to be.
"When I first arrived at City every time I went to sleep I would dream about us winning something and about us being the best team in whatever competition we take part in.
"I believe I have to work harder all the time to improve and stay at the top level with this club.
"I will give my all every time I play and I will never forget how the fans have treated me here so nothing would give me greater pleasure than to finish my career as a Manchester City player.
"There is no other place I would rather finish with and I want to continue winning titles and trophies with City."
City won their first top-flight championship for 44 years in a dramatic end to last season but Toure believes that will be just the beginning of a new golden era for the club.
"I believe we are just at the beginning of our journey," he told mcfc.co.uk
"We want to make history and that was part of my plan when I first signed - to make history - and we've made a start but there is so many more chapters to be written.
"I'm really enjoying my football here and I'm playing in front of the most amazing fans I've ever come across.
"Ending my playing career at City would be unbelievable, but I know it won't be easy because we want to win everything and the club is always looking to improve."
City defender Micah Richards hopes to return to playing by early February after knee surgery in October.
The 24-year-old tore the meniscus in his right knee but is gradually making progress in his rehabilitation.
"I am not putting a date on when I will be back because these things are never exact but I am hoping it will be in early February," he told mcfc.co.uk.
"There is still not too much I can do but I am now on one crutch instead of two so that is progress.
"Of course it is frustrating and there is nothing more I would like than to be out there playing but I am being well looked after, the injury is responding and the knee getting stronger every day.
"I am busy try to build the muscle up and I am doing some weights."
PA
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