Manchester United have confirmed goalkeeper David De Gea has penned a new four-year deal at the club, with the option of an additional year.

A statement on the Red Devils’ official website read: “David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United, keeping him at Old Trafford until at least 2019. There is an option to extend it for a further year.”

David De Gea has signed a new four-year contract at #mufc with an option to extend for a further year. pic.twitter.com/Z3JuQOaNEi

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 11, 2015

De Gea, whose move to Real Madrid fell through on deadline day, will hope his signing of the new contract will be a fresh start to his career at Old Trafford after reportedly wanting away all summer long. He hasn’t played a single minute in the 2015/16 season so far.

The 24-year-old has expressed his delight at signing the deal, and talked up his time playing in front of the Old Trafford faithful.

Speaking to his club’s official website, De Gea said: “I am delighted to be starting this new chapter in my United career. I have always enjoyed playing with these great players in front of our fantastic fans. Manchester United is a special club and Old Trafford is an ideal place for me to continue to develop my career.”

He further vowed to putting the events of the summer behind him and helping his team to success this season.

“I’m looking forward to putting a difficult summer behind me and concentrating on working hard to improve and help my teammates to be successful,” he added.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal also spoke of his delight at the Spaniard’s new deal, and is pleased to be able to call upon the services of the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons.

“I am absolutely delighted David has signed a new contract. He is one of the best goalkeepers in world football. I am very pleased that he will be part of the team for many years to come.

“David made a very important contribution to our performance last season and he has been the club’s Player of the Year for the last two seasons. He is a popular player who is keen to learn and enhance his game. At such a young age for a goalkeeper, he has many years ahead of him,” Van Gaal said.

With Saturday’s important clash against Liverpool in the Premier League, the news of De Gea signing a contract extension will offer a positive spin to the Red Devils’ preparation for the game. The shot-stopper had just a year remaining on his previous contract, and his new deal means he will not leave the club for free next summer.