Rúben Dias, Manchester City’s standout defender, has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2029, securing his long-term future. Dias is a Portugal international. The August 22, 2025, statement confirms a two-year extension to his previous contract, which was originally scheduled to expire in 2027, with an additional 12-month option that may allow Dias to stay with the team for 10 years after joining in 2020.
Dias has been a vital member of Pep Guardiola’s club since joining Manchester City from Benfica in September 2020 for an estimated £65 million. He has changed the defensive structure of the team and helped it achieve an unprecedented run of success. The 28-year-old center-back has made more than 223 appearances for the team, contributing five assists and six goals.
He has also won 10 major trophies, including the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the Community Shield, two FA Cups, two League Cups, the 2023 UEFA Champions League, and four consecutive Premier League titles (2020–2024).
In order to recover from a trophyless 2024–25 season—the first under Guardiola since 2016–17—City is committed to building around its core leaders, as evidenced by the new contract, which includes a reported compensation increase from his previous £180,000 weekly wage.
Along with Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva, and Rodri, Dias is a member of Guardiola’s four-man leadership group. Hugo Viana, the director of football, has lauded Dias’ professionalism and leadership, and he is considered a future captain.
Dias expressed his joy with the extension, emphasizing his deep connection to the club and city.
“I am incredibly happy today,” he told Manchester City’s official website. “I’m so proud to represent this great club. City are where I want to be – at the top of the sport, competing for trophies. The club’s ambition aligns perfectly with mine, and as a footballer, there is nothing better than that. I love Manchester – it is my home now – and I love the Manchester City fans. Their support from day partiti has been absolutely unbelievable, and I appreciate them a lot.”
“When I think about the trophies we have won and the way we have played our football during my time here, I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else. My job now is to be the best I can be for the duration of this contract, so that I can play my part in helping us challenge for more silverware.”
Since his debut in a 1-1 draw against Leeds United in 2020, Dias has been a defensive rock, earning the Premier League Player of the Season and Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year awards in his first season. He was the first defender to win the latter since 1989.
His impact was immediate, helping City recover from a 5-2 loss to Leicester early that season to embark on a 28-game unbeaten run en route to the 2020/21 Premier League title. Dias played every minute of City’s 2023 Champions League knockout stages, contributing to victories over RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan in the final.
Dias’ commitment offers stability and signals City’s intent to maintain their dominance in English and European football. As Manchester City prepares for the 2025–26 season, Dias’ extension is a statement of intent. With his leadership, experience, and defensive prowess, the Portuguese star will be central to City’s ambitions to reclaim the Premier League title and pursue further European glory.
The timing of the extension is significant because of the uncertainty surrounding the contracts of several key players, including John Stones, Bernardo Silva, Ederson, and Ilkay Gündogan, whose contracts are coming to expire in less than two years.
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