Phil Foden has committed his future to Manchester City by signing a new four-year contract, which includes an option for an additional 12 months. This agreement will keep him at the club until 2030. The 26-year-old midfielder is seen as a key player under the new manager, Enzo Maresca, with contract discussions having been ongoing since late 2025.
Foden expressed his deep connection to the club, stating that committing his future to City means everything to him. He also mentioned that playing for the club has always been his ambition and wearing the shirt is an honour. He acknowledged being part of a successful period, winning numerous titles, but emphasised the team’s focus on future achievements.
The news of the extension was initially revealed in early May. Foden enlisted the help of agent Rafaela Pimenta, who also represents his City teammate Erling Haaland, to negotiate the new terms at the Etihad Stadium.
Foden’s journey and Maresca’s return
Foden joined City’s academy at the age of nine and made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old under Pep Guardiola. He has since accumulated 20 major honours with the club, including six Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, and a Champions League title.
His previous contract was due to expire next summer, and there had been some speculation regarding his future, particularly after being left out of the starting line-up at times over the past two seasons. Foden has also faced physical ailments and discussed the mental impact of a challenging season.
Despite some recent form struggles, City has shown continued faith in the player who began training with the club at six years old. Last season, Foden made 50 appearances across all competitions for City and four for England.
Foden expressed his eagerness to work with Enzo Maresca again, highlighting Maresca’s positive impact during the Treble-winning season. He noted that Maresca was respected and liked by the players, making his return to the club an exciting prospect.
Maresca, a former City academy manager, served as Guardiola’s assistant during the 2022-23 season before pursuing his own managerial career. He was chosen as Guardiola’s replacement after Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season.
Looking ahead to the new season
The announcement of Foden’s contract extension comes as City prepares for the new campaign. The team is scheduled to travel to Hong Kong next week, followed by a trip to Seoul, South Korea, for pre-season matches.
City is set to play Inter in Hong Kong on Saturday, August 1, before facing the K-League All Stars and Atletico Madrid in Seoul. With Foden not making Thomas Tuchel‘s England squad for the World Cup, he will be among the few first-team players available to Maresca during the Asian tour.
This provides Foden with an opportunity to gain an early advantage over some of his teammates as he aims to regain his best form. His strong performances at the end of the 2023-24 season, which earned him the Footballer of the Year award, have been difficult to consistently replicate since.
Hugo Viana, City’s Director of Football, praised Foden, stating that he embodies the positive aspects of the club’s academy. Viana described Foden as a unique talent whose creativity is a joy to observe, attributing his achievements to his focus, dedication, and humility.
Viana also noted that Foden’s development is still ongoing at 26 years old, and the club anticipates seeing his continued growth in the coming years. Foden’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta, will continue to work with him, which could be beneficial given his history of changing representatives.
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Source: nytimes.com
Dominic Hayes is the Sports News Writer at NewsGB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with five years of reporting experience. He started on a north-east sports desk. He holds a degree in Journalism from Teesside University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Middlesbrough, he follows pro golf and amateur boxing. “Fast and accurate is the only standard worth keeping.”
