Kyle Walker, close to joining Bayern Munich this summer, has signed a new two-year contract extending his commitment to Manchester City until 2026, the English and European champion club announced on Thursday. The 33-year-old England international, who arrived from Tottenham in 2017, is one of the historic members of Pep Guardiola’s team, crowned for the first time in the Champions League in June. “I have loved every moment of the last six years at this fantastic club. I have an incredible coach, great teammates and our staff and supporters are the best,” commented the player, quoted in a club press release.
Walker has 260 matches with the Cityzens, with whom he has won fifteen titles, including last season’s treble with the Cup and the English Championship in addition to the C1. “He is an exceptional footballer and his speed, strength and experience make him an important member of our team,” said the sporting director of the Mancunian club, Txiki Begiristain. “For me, he is the best right-back in the world, a player with unique qualities,” he added.
In the offseason, Walker was close to joining Bayern Munich, following a season where his starting status was at times called into question. Manchester City lost its ex-captain Ilkay Gündogan to Barça in the summer, as well as Riyad Mahrez and Cole Palmer, but recruited Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic, Jérémy Doku and Matheus Nunes, in addition to extending Bernardo Silva, despite the interest from Paris Saint-Germain.