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Netherlands defender Nathan Ake has signed a two-year contract extension at Manchester City until 2027.<\/p>\n
Ake, 28, joined City in 2020 on a five-year deal\u00a0from Bournemouth for \u00a340m.<\/p>\n
He played a vital role for City last season, making 41 appearances in all competitions as City won the Treble.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThis is the best club in the world, I have no doubts about that. Being a Manchester City player makes me incredibly proud every single day,\u201d said the former Chelsea defender.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a club that expects excellence in every area, which makes for the perfect environment to improve. I am at the stage of my career where I want to keep developing and I can definitely do that here.<\/p>\n
\u201cPep [Guardiola] is the best manager in football \u2013 a genius who has made me see the game differently \u2013 so to be able to work with him for longer is a real privilege.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am so grateful to him for everything he has done for me, both personally and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ake joined Chelsea as a 15-year-old and after 17 first-team appearances made a\u00a0permanent move to Bournemouth in 2017,\u00a0having been on loan there during the 2016-17 season.<\/p>\n
He had talks with Chelsea about re-joining them a year ago but the Blues\u00a0failed to meet City\u2019s valuation.<\/p>\n
Ake has helped City claim the Premier League title in each of his three seasons with the club, winning six trophies overall.<\/p>\n
But his versatility \u2013 he can play at centre-back and left-back \u2013 helped him become a more important member of the squad last season, with 41 appearances more than he managed in his first two seasons combined (40).<\/p>\n
City\u2019s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: \u201cWe have been delighted with Nathan\u2019s development, so it\u2019s great news for this club that he is extending his time with us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no doubt he was a very important part of our Treble success last season, but I believe he can be even better.<\/p>\n
\u201cTechnically, tactically and physically he has everything we want in a defender \u2013 and he is so professional, dedicated and willing to learn, which for Pep is an ideal scenario.<\/p>\n
\u201cNathan is also an incredible human being who has the respect of absolutely everybody at the club.\u201d<\/p>\n
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