'This is a day I will never forget' - Nico O'Reilly signs new long-term contract with Man City and reserves the most special praise for his mum

O'Reilly joined City 12 years ago and in the 2022-23 campaign, he captained their Under-18 side to a third successive national title and ended the season by winning the Players' Player of the Year award. The youngster, who has played at left-back and in central midfield over the past year, made his senior City debut in the 2024 Community Shield and has since gone on to make 27 appearances, scoring five goals in the process. The England Under-20 international admitted that he wouldn't have got to this point without his mum, Holly.

He told City's website on Friday, "I'm so happy, I feel really good to have signed this contract with this amazing club. It's made my family proud and yeah; it's an amazing day. My mum has been making sacrifices for me since I was a baby, and she has put her life into mine and I'm so happy she was able to do this and just hope one day I can pay her back. She's so proud and obviously she has to take a lot of credit as well because I wouldn't be here without her, so I'd like to say thank you to my mum."

After signing this five-year deal, O'Reilly thanked the club, his family, manager Pep Guardiola, and more.

He added, "This is a day I will never forget. I have been at City since the age of eight, and to have made it into the first team and have played matches is a dream come true. To be rewarded with a new contract really is special. I am really proud and so is my mum!

"But in truth, this is just the beginning for me. I have come so far, but I want to keep pushing now, improving every day, and become the best player I can be. Here at City, with Pep as manager, I know I can do that. This is the best place for a footballer to be. I want to thank everyone who works in the Academy, all my teammates, Pep, the coaching staff and the City fans because without all those people supporting me along the way, none of this would have been possible for me."

City's director of football, Hugo Viana, believes that the 6ft 4in player is a great role model for many other youth players dreaming of graduating to the club's first team. 

He said: "Everyone at Manchester City is proud of our Academy, and Nico is a great example of why that is. Any young City player should look to Nico and learn from how he conducts himself on and off the pitch. If they do that, they won’t go far wrong.

"He is technically assured, intelligent, and a brilliant reader of the game. His progress since stepping into the first team has been excellent, and we feel he has so much more to offer. He really does have huge potential. Nico is also a fantastic person. He is so focused on his football, which is what we want from our young players. I am delighted for him and his family, and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further in the coming years."

O'Reilly has made six appearances for City this season, four of which have been starts. He has his sights set on becoming a regular under Guardiola and it is clear he has no intention of just making up the numbers. 

He said: "I'd just like to say thanks for all the support I've had so far, and there's a lot more to come. Hopefully, I can keep [our fans] happy, win games, win lots of trophies and we'll all be happy.

"It's crazy how fast things have gone but I know my ability. I don't just want to be a squad player, I’m here to fight for my place and I want to be in the team week in, week out.  That's my aim and that's what I'm going to try and do. I think I've improved. Playing in big games in big stadiums and crowds, it's something you're not used to in the Academy.

"The experience has helped me a lot and playing a new position, learning how to defend properly. It's all helped me massively. [My target is to] play as much as I can. I want to play every game, win trophies and titles, try and get an England call-up and make the squad in the summer. I've got a lot of goals this season and I'm going to try and achieve them."