Riyad Mahrez, Leicester Agree on New Contract: Latest Details and Reaction

Leicester City and star wingerRiyad Mahrez haveagreed on a new contract, as the Algeria international is set to continue his career with the Foxes.The Premier League champions announced on Wednesday via their official website that Mahrezagreed to a new four-year deal at the King Power Stadium, tying him to the club until the summer of 2020.The 25-year-old joined Leicester in January 2014 and established himself as one of the key players in the squad during the 2015-16 season, playing a huge role in the club's unexpected run toward the Premier League title.Along with team-mate Jamie Vardy, he became the breakout performer of the campaign with a series of impressive showings,becoming the first player to reach double-digit goals and assists in the league early in February, per BBC Match of the Day.He was voted the Professional Footballers' AssociationPlayer of the Year for his stunning campaign, becoming the first African player to walk away with the award.Unsurprisingly, Mahrez's strong performances led to plenty of transfer speculation, with the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly all interested in his services, per Jack Wilson of the Daily Star.Signing their star to a new and improved deal became a priority for the Foxes, who knew full well they wouldn't be able to replicate their Cinderellarun in the coming seasons without their top players.The new contract is just reward for Mahrez, as well as a sign of loyalty from the player to the club who gave the midfielder his big break in England.Writing for the Daily Mail, former Tottenham Hotspur star Jamie Redknapp urged youngsters to learnfrom the examples set by Mahrez and his team-mates, who had to work hard to get where they are:These are players that set a fine example. They work, they chase, they play as a team. Those are the qualities youngsters should strive for. Danny Drinkwater, Jamie Vardy, Riyad Mahrezthey have all worked so hard to make themselves the players they are. Now they are reaping the rewards.Even more significantly, Mahrez's decision to stay with Leicester signals the Algerian believes in the ambitious project, and the Foxes' unexpected Premier League title isn't some fluke.If Mahrez, arguably the top player in the team, decides to stick with Leicester City, others will likely follow. And if manager Claudio Ranieri manages to keep his squad intact, who knows what could be next for the Foxes.
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