Onuoha signs new City deal
Onuoha made 19 appearances for City last season
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Monday, 25, Jun 2007 03:21
Manchester City and England under-21 defender Nedum Onuoha has signed a new four-year contract at Eastlands.
The 20-year-old centre-back impressed for Stuart Pearce's side at the European Championships in the Netherlands this month, despite beginning the tournament as fourth-choice behind Steven Taylor, Anton Ferdinand and Peter Whittingham.
However a string of impressive performances raised Onuoha's stock, and he started the semi-final against holders and hosts Holland before he was forced off with a groin strain during extra-time. England eventually lost 13-12 on penalties.
"I'm delighted that the contract is all sorted out now, I just want to get back to working hard and playing well when pre-season training starts again next week," Onuoha told the City website.
"I like to think that I have been improving game-on-game and season-on-season recently, when I compare myself from now to two years ago I think there is a massive difference in my performances."
Alistair Mackintosh, Manchester City's chief executive, claimed the club has been keen to secure the services of the defender for a number of months and was delighted that he had finally signed.
"We opened talks with Nedum a couple of months ago and then had to wait until the under-21s tournament was over before the deal could be concluded," Mackintosh said.
"Nedum's contract extension reaffirms Manchester City's commitment to having a first team squad with the very best young, home-grown talent and securing their long-term futures at the football club."
Despite the injury that prevented him from finishing England's semi-final against the eventual winners, Onuoha confirmed that he would be fit to join in from the start of City's pre-season training programme, saying it was no more than "a two-week injury".