Nico O’Reilly commits long-term future to Manchester City with contract extension

Manchester City have finalised and confirmed a new contractual agreement with versatile midfielder Nico O’Reilly, it was revealed on Friday.

The 20-year-old has been one of the standout academy graduates of recent years, earning a reputation for his technical quality, work ethic, and ability to adapt across multiple roles within Pep Guardiola’s system.

Having joined the club at the age of eight, O’Reilly rose through the youth ranks with distinction, captaining Manchester City’s Under-18s to a national title in 2022/23 and earning recognition as Players’ Player of the Year.

His path to the senior stage was not without setbacks, with injury briefly halting his progress in the Elite Development Squad. Yet his response only underlined his resilience, and last season he made a seamless transition into first-team football.

In total, Nico O’Reilly recorded 27 appearances and five goals, showing composure and maturity well beyond his years, while a senior debut arrived at Wembley in the 2024 Community Shield triumph against Manchester United, going on to become a trusted squad option for Pep Guardiola.

With tactical awareness and positional flexibility, Nico O’Reilly has featured as both an attacking and defensive midfielder and an emergency left-back, impressing with his intelligence and composure on the ball.

Now, confirmed by Manchester City on Friday evening, O’Reilly has committed his long-term future to the Etihad Stadium by penning a brand new five-year agreement until the summer of 2030.

“This is a day I will never forget. I have been at City since the age of eight, and to have made it into the first team and have played matches is a dream come true. To be rewarded with a new contract really is special,” O’Reilly told the club’s official media channels.

“I am really proud and so is my mum! She has sacrificed so much to get me to where I am today, so I am just as happy for her as I am for myself. But in truth, this is just the beginning for me,” he continued.

“I have come so far, but I want to keep pushing now, improving every day, and become the best player I can be. Here at City, with Pep as manager, I know I can do that. This is the best place for a footballer to be.

“I want to thank everyone who works in the Academy, all my teammates, Pep, the coaching staff and the City fans because without all those people supporting me along the way, none of this would have been possible for me.”

Offering his thoughts on the agreement, sporting director Hugo Viana said, “Everyone at Manchester City is proud of our Academy and Nico is a great example of why that is. Any young City player should look to Nico and learn from how he conducts himself on and off the pitch. If they do that, they won’t go far wrong.

“He is technically assured, intelligent and a brilliant reader of the game. His progress since stepping into the first team has been excellent and we feel he has so much more to offer. He really does have huge potential.

“Nico is also a fantastic person. He is so focused on his football, which is what we want from our young players. I am delighted for him and his family, and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further in the coming years.”

Looking ahead, Nico O’Reilly’s extension signals Manchester City’s commitment to keeping their brightest talents at the Etihad Stadium rather than allowing rival clubs to swoop.

The midfielder has been subject to strong interest from Premier League and European sides in recent months, namely from the likes of Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea, but this agreement likely ends any speculation over his immediate future.

With Pep Guardiola’s side competing on multiple fronts this season, Nico O’Reilly’s role is only expected to grow. His versatility makes him an ideal squad option in high-pressure situations, while his long-term deal ensures City can build around him.

For both player and club, this contract marks the beginning of what could be a defining chapter in Nico O’Reilly’s career, as he looks to establish himself as a permanent fixture in Pep Guardiola’s plans and, in time, a senior international with England.