Dunne pens new deal

Manchester City captain Richard Dunne has today penned a new four-year contract with the Club.

The 28-year-old defender was linked with summer moves away from the City of Manchester Stadium, but following talks with Manager Mark Hughes, the Irish international swiftly signed a deal that ties him to the Blues until at least 2012.

After completing the paperwork, Dunne exclusively told mcfc.co.uk: “I’m delighted with it.

“My first priority is, was and always has been to stay at City because I’ve enjoyed it so much and I feel really settled here.

“When Mark Hughes got the job I think everyone was really pleased and I was thrilled that he seemed to make it a priority to sort my contract out. I’m delighted to be able to stay.”

>>mcfc.co.uk

In the piece on the site, Hughes stated it was his main priority after taking over to get a new deal for Dunne penned.

I don't doubt there were plenty of suitors for Dunne, and that he may even of contemplated the possibility of moving on, but much of that would undoubtedly of been in the aftermath of the end of season shambles and it would have been a shock to have seen him leave the club.

Once Hughes was appointed and some stability brought back to proceedings, I'd imagine Dunne was keen to re-sign assuming the deal offered reflected his worth and he will be in line with the top earners at the club which is just rewards for what he has achieved the past few seasons.

Whilst by no means irreplaceable, top defenders are at a premium and it is a sound move to tie him down to what effectively will be to the final stages of his career, and is now only a couple of seasons from breaking into the top 20 appearance list at the club.