Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric re-sign with long term deals

MANCHESTER City’s long term continues to look strong as Edin Dzeko joins Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva in committing long term.

(Files) In this file picture taken on March 25, 2014, Manchester City's Bosnian forward Edin Dzeko celebrates after scoring the second goal during the English Premier League football match against Manchester United at Old Trafford in Manchester. Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, signed a new four-year contract which will keep him at the Premier League champions until at least 2018. The Bosnian international's current deal had only 10 months to run and manager Manuel Pellegrini's determination to keep the striker was fully justified by his performance as City beat Newcastle 2-0 on Sunday. AFP PHOTO/PAUL ELLIS RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or “live” services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.

MANCHESTER City striker Edin Dzeko has signed a new four-year contract with the Premier League champions.

The 28-year-old Bosnia international follows striker Sergio Aguero, midfielder David Silva and captain Vincent Kompany in committing his future to City this month.

Dzeko joined from Wolfsburg in January 2011 and says City is now “a second home to me, so it was an easy decision to stay for the long-term ... I can’t see any place better than here.”

City opened its title defense on Sunday with a 2-0 win at Newcastle.

EUROPEAN TRANSFER CENTRE

Elsewhere, Croatia midfielder Luka Modric has reinforced his commitment to Real Madrid by signing a four-season contract extension through June 2018 with the club.

Modric, who joined Madrid in August 2012 from English Premier League club Tottenham in a deal worth a reported 35 million euros ($A52.5 million), won the UEFA Champions League with the La Liga club last season.

The midfielder said joining Madrid had been like a dream come true.

“With my renewal, my dream continues. Hopefully in the next few years we can win many more titles,” he said.

Madrid announced the extension, linking Modric to the club for the next four seasons, in a short statement on Wednesday.

The 28-year-old has matured into a vital player for the European champions, where coach Carlo Ancelotti values his calm assurance and ability to feed attacking players with skilfully weighted passes from the midfield.

He is also prized for his willingness to fall back and tackle in defence.

Ancelotti looks likely to use Modric alongside Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos.

Modric played a key role in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.

“When I came here two years ago we won the Super Cup,” he said. “It would be very important to start the season by winning another Super Cup.” The second leg is to be played Friday at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon Stadium.

Originally published as Manchester City’s Edin Dzeko and Real Madrid’s Luka Modric re-sign with long term deals