Jack Grealish has signed a new five-year contract with Aston Villa, in a move that appears to put to bed rumours the club captain could leave for Manchester United.
Villa announced the deal on their official website, with Grealish now committed to his boyhood club until 2025.
The 25-year-old midfielder, who made his England debut against Denmark this month, first caught the eye in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 Premier League seasons, when still a youngster.
He stayed with the team after their relegation to the Championship, despite interest from top-flight teams, and finally helped Villa out of the second tier after three years of trying.
Last season he scored eight goals and had six assists in the Premier League, playing a crucial role as Villa avoided relegation in a dramatic finale to the campaign.
Grealish said of his new deal: “I am delighted to make this commitment to Villa. It is my club, my home and I am very happy here.
“The owners have made it very clear to me how ambitious they are and how they want to build Aston Villa. There are exciting times ahead and I am very glad to be part of it.”
Villa have strengthened ahead of the new campaign by bringing in forward Ollie Watkins from Brentford and right-back Matty Cash from Nottingham Forest.
Grealish has been linked with a host of teams since emerging as a gifted playmaker and talk of a move to Old Trafford had persisted.
However, United have strengthened in midfield already in the transfer window with the signing of Donny van de Beek from Ajax, which appeared to diminish the prospect of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming in for Grealish in the short term.
Retaining Grealish provides Villa head coach Dean Smith with reassurance, being safe in the knowledge his star man has no intention of moving on.
Villa chief executive Christian Purslow welcomed Grealish’s decision, saying: “We are determined to build a top team around him and are delighted that he is extending his contract and committing himself to the club he loves.”
