Ireland extends City contract

Manchester City midfielder Stephen Ireland has put aside doubts over his commitment to the club, and to his sport, by signing a new five-year deal at Eastlands.

The 21-year-old has been impressive under new manager Sven-Goran Eriksson this season, but has courted controversy lately after claiming that his maternal grandmother had died so he could be allowed return to England during the Euro 2008 qualifiers double-header with the Republic of Ireland to be with his girlfriend who had suffered a miscarriage.

After it was discovered that his grandmother had not, in fact, passed away, he said that his father's mother had died.  It was subsequently revealed that neither claim was true.

With the media spotlight firmly fixed on him, it emerged that on his Bebo web-page, where he refers to himself as "Daddy Dick", he wrote: "Football is s***, so why did I get stuck doin(g) it."

However, after a difficult time for the player and his family, Ireland was thrilled to reaffirm his commitment to the City cause and has now signed up until June 2012, saying on the club's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk:"I am delighted to commit my future to Manchester City."

"The last week has been extremely difficult for my family and me but it is a terrific boost to sign a long-term deal, which I hope shows my commitment to the club and the fans as well as the club's commitment to me.

"I am very settled at the club and the support I have received from my partner, family and everybody around me has been fantastic.

"The events surrounding my withdrawal from the Ireland squad last week have been well publicised and are not something I want to dwell on. However, I want to reiterate my regret over what happened.

"I received some very upsetting news when I was told by my partner that she had suffered a miscarriage and unfortunately became swept up in an unforeseen series of events on an issue that was deeply personal to us.

"At no time did I realise that an issue which should have been private and confidential between my partner and I would receive so much media attention - but now it is time for me to move on."

The six-times capped midfielder insisted it was an easy decision to commit to Eriksson's revolution which has seen a rejuvenated City rise to second in the Barclays Premier League table.

"The understanding shown to me by Sven-Goran Eriksson, the City players and backroom staff has been fantastic," he added. "I am glad to be back training at City and looking forward to being part of the squad to travel to Fulham on Saturday."