Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne signs new five-year contract

The Belgian playmaker is set to stay at the Etihad until 2023

Kevin De Bruyne has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City (Manchester City)

Kevin De Bruyne has signed a new five-year contract at Manchester City, with the 26-year-old set to stay at the Etihad until 2023.

The Belgian has been the outstanding player in the Premier League’s outstanding team this season, excelling in a midfield role under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.

De Bruyne’s pre-existing contract was not set to expire until 2021, but his excellent form for the league leaders this season has prompted City to extend his stay.

“I am really happy to have signed this new deal,” De Bruyne told City’s official website. “As I’ve said previously, my intention has always been to stay here at City, where I’ve felt at home from day one.

“Not only are we winning – we are playing great football. It’s a pleasure to be a part of and I’m really excited about what we can achieve in the coming years.”

It is understood that De Bruyne’s previous basic salary of approximately £115,000-a-week will be almost doubled, though the player will be paid in euros due to the effect of Brexit on sterling.

“Kevin’s new deal is great news for our club,” said Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football. “He has shown this season how important he is to the team and has been integral in everything we’ve done so far.”

Since arriving from Wolfsburg in a £55m deal in 2015, De Bruyne has scored 31 goals and registered 50 assists in 122 City appearances.