United exercises 1-year option on Valencia's contract
One of Manchester United's longest-serving players will return next season after the club triggered the one-year option on Antonio Valencia's contract.
The 31-year-old was rewarded with a new one-year extension until 2018, the club announced Tuesday, after impressing Jose Mourinho and continuing to be the Portuguese manager's preferred option at right-back.
The option was included when Valencia, who joined United from Wigan in 2009, signed a three-year contract in 2014.
Another year to give everything for the greatest club in the world @manutd. Happy to announce I’ve renew my contract 'til 2018 pic.twitter.com/svR2baBFqj
— Antonio Valencia (@anto_v25) January 17, 2017
Valencia arrived as a winger, but has since made a successful conversion to full-back after seamlessly adjusting to the tactical and positional nuances of the defensive role.
The pacey Ecuador international has made 271 appearances for the club and helped United capture a pair of Premier League crowns to go along with an FA Cup and League Cup title.