Fernandinho has followed Nicolas Otamendi in becoming the latest Manchester City player to sign a contract extension which will see him stay at the club until 2020.
The Brazilian midfielder, 32, will turn 35 at the end of his new contract and has been deployed in a key defensive midfield role this season with City boss Pep Guardiola rating him highly.
Fernandinho was in no doubt about his personal targets going forward following his new deal: “The main thing for me is going to be to stay here and try to win as many trophies as we can.” said the Brazilian, adding: “I’m very, very happy to sign a new deal and to stay at this club. It’s been a long journey since I joined and we’re going to continue going forward, trying to win trophies. This is the main target for me and the club.”
Described as one of the three best holding midfielders in the world by his manager, Fernandinho has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice and in total has played 212 times for City, scoring 19 goals.
Speaking about Guardiola’s high praise, Fernandinho commented: “I am so glad to hear this kind of comment from him. He has worked with a lot of great players, a lot of quality players, intelligent players, so when you hear something like that you know you have to keep going the way you are now because if someone like him says that you know you are doing the right things.
“He knows the position very well. Since he joined here we have had a lot of conversations about tactics and movement, the way I can control and pass the ball, the way I keep my position, the way I help the team attack, the way I help the team keep the balance between attack and defence.”
“There’s a lot of conversation about that because he knows exactly what is the best thing to do in that position so I just have to listen to him and try to do my best.”
Fernandinho arrived at City in 2013 after six years with Ukraine side Shakhtar Donetsk and promptly won the Premier League title and League Cup by the summer of 2014.
He lifted another League Cup two years later – scoring against Liverpool at Wembley in 2016 – and helped City reach the semi finals of the Champions League.