Manchester United announced Jesse Lingard has decided to recommit his future to the club by penning an extension worth £100,000 a week to his contract.
The winger’s previous contract still had a year before it expires, and United have taken steps to extend his stay at the Old Trafford till 2021.
The two parties began negotiating last autumn and Jose Mourinho was determined to seal a deal with Lingard before the 2016-17 season comes to an end. The attacker has made a total of 70 appearances since he moved to United with 29 coming from this season.
Lingard told the club’s official website that he is honored to be offered another deal at the club: “Manchester United has always been a big part of my life. I have been with the club since the age of seven and I feel great pride every time I pull the shirt on. To have scored in two cup finals for my boyhood club were immensely proud moments for me and my family.
“As a team, we have already won a major trophy this season and I look forward to helping us win many more under this great manager. I would like to say a special thank you to the fans for the great support they have always given me and the team.”
Mourinho also chipped in: “Jesse has been with the club since the age of seven. He has good intelligence which, when combined with his energy and ability, makes for a player with a great future ahead of him. Jesse is a popular member of the squad and I am delighted he has signed a new contract.”
Lingard was instrumental in United’s victory in the 2011 FA Youth Cup before signing a professional contract in the summer of 2011. He played alongside the likes of Paul Pogba, Michael Keane, Ravel Morrison and Sam Johnstone in the youth team.
The 24-year old made his first debut for the Red Devil’s in August 2014 after loan spells at Leicester, Birmingham and Brighton. He did not last long on the pitch as he was forced off after sustaining a severe knee injury which made him unfit to play for six months.
He came to prominence 2015-16, netting six goals in 40 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side. Lingard has found the net in his two club appearances at Wembley this campaign and also in the Community shield triumph over Leicester City and the EFL Cup victory against Southampton.
He has also played in the England national team four times since Gareth Southgate emerged as the head coach last autumn.