David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract at Manchester United with an option to a further one year.
The 24-year-old, who almost joined Real Madrid this summer, said he is “delighted” to be “starting the new chapter” at the Old Trafford club.
The Spaniard told the club’s website: “I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans.”
In June 2011, De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid for a British record fee for a goalkeeper of around £17.8m. He has since made a total 175 appearances for the club.
He won the Premier League title in his second season in Manchester and has since been named back-to-back club player of year in 2014 and 2015.
“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.”
De Gea featured twice in the pre-season – against Barcelona and Paris St-Germain – but only played his first competitive game of the season for Spain against Macedonia in a Euro 2016 qualifier on Tuesday.
Man United host Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday and will formerly return to the Uefa Champions League in next Tuesday’s visit to Holland against PSV Eindhoven.
A war of words ensued after Spanish giants, Real, failed to complete the necessary paperwork for the former Atleti shot stopper in time for the La Liga transfer deadline, in a deal which could have seen Costa Rican, Keylor Navas, move to the Premier League club.
Louis van Gaal said: “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, who has been included in United’s Champions League squad, will now look to reclaim first-choice goalkeeping shirt from Argentina international Sergio Romero, who was signed in the close season.
