Drinkwater signs new Leicester deal

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater has committed his future to Leicester City by signing a five-year contract with the Premier League champions. 

The 26-year-old is now tied to the club until 2021, in an important piece of business for manager Claudio Ranieri, who lost another key midfielder in N’Golo Kante to Chelsea last month.

Drinkwater joined the Foxes from Manchester United in 2012, helping the team to achieve promotion to the top flight in 2014, before their sensational title triumph last term.

Delighted to sign a new contract @LCFC ! It’s been a great few years, full of success. The future is bright!! pic.twitter.com/FthFHSbkJs

— Danny Drinkwater (@DannyDrinkwater) August 25, 2016

Drinkwater’s performances in 2015-16 saw him make his senior England debut against Netherlands in March, but he missed out on a place in the Euro 2016 squad.

While Leicester have lost the services of France international Kante, Drinkwater follows Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and Andy King in staying at King Power Stadium.

“I’ve loved playing for this club, it’s been perfect for me and my career and I want to be here for a long time to come,” Drinkwater said in a statement on the club website. “I couldn’t be happier.

“I’ve grown a lot as a player and a person in the last four years and Leicester City has been a massive part of that. I owe a lot to the staff here for helping me get to this point – they’ve been quality.

“And I love being part of this team. We’ve been through so much together and I’m sure there’s a lot more to come.”

117 – @DannyDrinkwater has made more tackles than any other English player since the start of last season in the Premier League. Committed.

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 25, 2016

Ranieri added: “Ever since I joined Leicester City, Danny has been one of our most consistent players.

“He’s a fantastic player and a fantastic man.

“He’s an important player for us and a very popular player in the dressing room. I want him to stay with us for a very long time.”

Having started the defence of their title with a surprise 2-1 loss at promoted Hull City, followed by a 0-0 draw at home to Arsenal, Leicester will host Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

They will discover their group-stage opponents for the club’s first appearance in the Champions League when the draw for the competition is made in Monaco on Thursday.