Manchester City playmaker David Silva has signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions, keeping him at the club until 2017.

The Spaniard, who joined City in 2010 from Valencia, had been linked with a switch to Champions League opponents Real Madrid having indicated his desire not to negotiate a new deal.

However, the 26 year old has penned a new five-year contract to end speculation over his immediate future and hand City a timely boost ahead of their group D opener at the Bernabeu on Tuesday.

David Silva
Silva made 15 assists last season as city claimed their first league title for 44 years. Reuters

"I'm very pleased because I've been here for two years now and I feel very happy here at the club, in the city and with all the people," Silva said. "So now I'm delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me.

"We've won the Premier League title and two other trophies too, and the team is growing and we are now aiming at the Champions League and so that also is another reason to want to stay here and try and win it. As I said, I feel very comfortable here and I want to try and win trophies like those.

"These last two years have gone very well and so let's hope that the next five go as well or even better. The fans have always given me their support since I arrived here, and recently they've been wanting me to sign, so hopefully this goes someway to thanking them for the affection they've shown towards me, something which also helped me decide to put pen to paper."

Silva played a pivotal role in City claiming their first league title for 44 years during the last campaign, claiming 15 assists domestically; the most in the 2011/12 Premier League season.

He featured in last season's Premier League team of the season and finished second behind Robin van Persie in the voting for the PFA Players' Player of the Year Award.

His passing prowess and vision makes him among the division's chief creative players, and has earned the nickname 'Merlin' among supporters at the Etihad Stadium, who have been treated to Silva's brilliance on regular occasions.

Real Madrid