England international defender Joleon Lescott has revealed he will be leaving Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Lescott, 31, joined City from Everton in a deal believed to be worth £22 million in August 2009.
The 31-year-old started in City’s 2-0 FA Cup triumph over Chelsea on Saturday but has been gradually shifting to the bench in recent weeks, with manager Manuel Pellegrini favouring the likes of Vincent Kompany, Matija Nastasić and Martín Demichelis.
“It is always nice to play,” said Lescott. “They are not coming as frequently as I would like but when I called upon I like to think I can do a job.
“Vinny is a massive player, a massive part of the club. He has got a massive future ahead of him at the club.
“It has been great playing alongside him for the past five years and it is a shame it is going to come to an end this season.”
Since arriving at the Etihad Stadium, former Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers centre-back has made 105 English Premier League appearances for City, netting seven goals.
Lescott was linked with a January move to Turkish Süper Lig giants Besiktas but no deal materialised despite negotiations between the two sides.
Manchester City (1/6); Stoke City (14/1); Draw (6/1)
Rooney close to inking new Man Utd deal
Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney is on the verge of signing a new record-breaking contract with the Premier League champions.
According to The Sun on Sunday, the deal is worth £300,000-a-week for four-and-a-half years.
The England international, 28, has been in contact talks with the club for quite some time but it is now believed he has finally agreed terms on a fresh deal at Old Trafford.
“We are saying that he has not just agreed, but he has actually signed,” Wyett told Sky Sports’ Sunday Supplement. “Obviously that has yet to be announced for Manchester United.
“I think he realises it is the best place for him still. I know others thought he might go to Chelsea or elsewhere, but I think (David) Moyes has had a series of meetings with him and convinced him to stay.
“I think Rooney will be the next captain of Manchester United and I think that it is a boost for Moyes. He is obviously going through a difficult spell.”
Rooney — priced at 5/1 to open the scoring when Manchester United visit Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on 25 February 2014 — has tallied 11 goals and 14 assists in 28 appearances in all competitions for United this term.
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
