Juventus defender Bonucci extends contract till 2021

Juventus' seasoned central defender Leonardo Bonucci signed a contract extension till 2021 on Monday, shunning reported offers from English football giants Manchester City and Chelsea.

"I renewed until 2021. I chose the house where I grew up and became great among the great. Still wear my 19 with pride juventus. Still, until the end, only one goal: to continue to win! #Lb19 #Bonucci2021," the 29-year-old wrote on Facebook.

Having joined the record Serie A champions from Bari in 2010, Bonucci, known for his deep lying creativity, has made 291 appearances and 185 victories for the Turin giants.

"It's not often that you find world-class defenders with the same unrelenting determination to keep raising their game or that infectious enthusiasm which rubs off on the rest of the group, but in Bonucci, Juventus can now look forward to at least another four and a half years of it," Juventus said in their website.

According to football-italia.net, the new deal will take Bonucci's wage to 4.5 million euros ($4.69 million) per season plus bonuses, as the club is happy with his loyalty despite reported better economical offers from Manchester City and London-based Chelsea.

Last summer, Pep Guardiola-coached City had reportedly offered in excess of $50 million to Juventus to buy the seasoned Italian international, considered one of the most complete defdender in world football.

"I am even more responsible after this great renewal but for me it is only an advantage and an incentive to give more every day, in every training session, and every game," he told Juventus website.

"I have many goals which are to become even more of a legend at this club, to still improve myself personally, and to continue to have this passion inside that helps me in times of trouble," he added.

"In every game I give something extra for this shirt, which feels like my own shirt."

His contract renewal follows the contract extensions signed by youngsters, defender Daniele Rugani and midfielder Stefano Sturaro with the Italian champions.

--IANS

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