Manchester United right-back Antonio Valencia has been rewarded for an impressive season with a new contract, the Premier League club have announced.
Valencia, 31, only signed a new one-year deal in January. But after becoming a key part of Jose Mourinho's team, the Ecuador international has signed a further extension which will keep him at Old Trafford until at least 2019 with the option of another year.
He was voted United's Players' Player of the Year this season after playing 43 times and captained the team in the final of the Europa League in Stockholm on Wednesday night.
.@Anto_V25 has signed a contract extension at #MUFC until June 2019 with the option for a further year: https://t.co/zJiy0QxLyV pic.twitter.com/POuWdyF68T
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 26, 2017
"Manchester United has been my life since 2009 and I am absolutely delighted to have signed a new contract," Valencia, who signed from Wigan Athletic in a £16 million deal eight years ago, told the club's official website.
"Wednesday evening provided the one trophy this club had never won and it was a true honour for me to captain the team for the final.
"I would like to thank the manager for the confidence he has given me this season and I am sure that we will be challenging on all fronts next season.
"I would also like to say a big thank you to my family, my team-mates and, of course, the fans, for their amazing support."
Valencia, who is closing in on 300 appearances for United, occasionally played at right-back under Sir Alex Ferguson, David Moyes and Louis van Gaal but this is first full season in the role after arriving at Old Trafford as a winger.
"It is no secret that I had been an admirer of Antonio's long before I joined the club," Mourinho added.
"I knew what a fantastic player he was and he has not disappointed me on that front. However, what I could never have imagined was what a great person he is.
"I know I have said this before but I truly believe it is a real privilege for us to have such a good player and such a good man. I am delighted he has extended his contract."