Manchester United confirmed on their official site that David De Gea has signed a new contract with the club that runs till 2018. The extension to David De Gea’s contract that was set to end next summer also includes an option for the Red Devils to extend the Spanish custodian’s spell at the club for a further year after the contract runs its 4-year course.
United’s two-time winner of the Matt Busby Player of the Year award in consecutive seasons was lured away from the club by Real Madrid who missed out on the player literally by minutes over the summer. There was speculation of his playing future at Manchester United for the course of the season as De Gea hasn’t made a single appearance for Louis Van Gaal’s side so far but the new contract could easily change that fact in their upcoming fixture against Liverpool on Saturday.
The 24-year-old speaking to the club’s website, spoke about the back and forth in the summer and his future at the club, he said: “I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career.
“I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.
“I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my teammates to be successful.”
Manchester United have 7 points from 4 games in the Premier League so far, already five behind current leaders Manchester City who’ve had a 100% win record so far and haven’t even conceded a goal yet.
However, the return of De Gea to United's starting line-up will be a huge boost for the players and the fans. The club’s Dutch coach acknowledged the player’s importance to the team and expressed his joy at retaining a key element of his squad.
Van Gaal told the club's website: “I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract. He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come.
“David made a very important contribution to our performance last season and he has been the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons. He is a popular player who is keen to learn and enhance his game. At such a young age for a goalkeeper, he has many years ahead of him.”
De Gea to earn £200,000 a week
The shot-stopper will earn £200,000 per week as part of his new contract with United, The Telegraph reported. It is a huge rise from the £60,000 he previously made with the club. No doubt an influence on the Spaniard’s decision to extend his stay at Old Trafford.
De Gea was reportedly offered the same amount before the previous season ended but turned it down in anticipation of the move but now has performed a U-turn in deciding to stay at Manchester.