Midfielder excited by the prospect of working under Enzo Maresca
Phil Foden has committed his future to Manchester City after signing a new four-year contract that keeps him at the Etihad until 2030, with the club holding the option to extend by a further year.
The 26-year-old academy graduate had entered the final year of his previous deal but has now agreed fresh terms as City begin a new era under Enzo Maresca. The midfielder said the prospect of working again with the Italian, who served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant during the club’s treble-winning campaign, one of Foden’s best seasons at the club, was a major attraction.
Foden said: “Committing my future to City means everything to me. Playing for this club is all I’ve ever wanted to do and it’s always an honour to wear the shirt. It’s not lost on me that I’ve been lucky enough to be part of a historic period with so many titles won, but we’re always looking to the future and trying to win more.
“I can only thank the club, staff, teammates and fans who continue to put their faith in me. I hope I’ll be able to repay you for years to come. I can’t wait to work with Enzo again. He was brilliant during the treble season – someone all the players respected and loved working with. To have him back here is exciting.
“Personally, I know I’ve improved so much from working with our coaches and world-class squad. I am excited for the next phase of my career at this great club.”
City are confident that Foden can return to the level that made him one of the outstanding players in English football. After playing a decisive role in the club’s 2023-24 Premier League triumph and collecting both the Football Writers’ Association and Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year awards, he struggled to hold down a regular starting place during Guardiola’s final season and was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
Foden later revealed he had endured a difficult period away from football following City’s FA Cup final defeat to Crystal Palace in 2025. He also said he had continued playing despite an ankle injury sustained after a challenge from Casemiro in the Manchester derby.
City regard Foden as potentially one of the key players in Maresca’s squad. With John Stones and Bernardo Silva having departed, he is now the club’s most decorated player, having collected 17 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, the Champions League, three FA Cups, five League Cups, the Uefa Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
Foden, who joined City’s academy as an eight-year-old, admitted he had never expected to last this long at the club.
“Not in a million years [would I think this],” Foden said. “I would say I had a dream to make it to the first team, but to stay this long, it’s a dream really. And like I said, I’m just enjoying it and trying to make the most of it.”
