Soccer:Vincent Kompany has signed a new five-year contract with Manchester City.

The versatile midfielder had already been contracted to the Eastlands club until 2012, but has pledged his long-term future after being linked with a January move to Barcelona.

Kompany made his first appearance of the season yesterday following injury as a second-half substitute in City's 1-1 draw at Wigan.

The Belgium international was pleased to commit himself to City and denied he had ever thought about leaving the club following Barcelona's apparent interest.

"There has been no speculation from my side because I have just signed the new deal but it is the kind of thing you have to get used to when you play for this club now," said the 23-year-old.

"In the end you just don't pay attention to the speculation. City's ambitions are my ambitions and I want to be one of the main players in a very big team.

"We are now a mature side now and the big improvements this season have been in mentality and professionalism. That is why we are better than we were last season.

"It is so much more comfortable being in a squad where everyone is giving their all."

Kompany was one of City's lower-profile signings last summer when he joined from Hamburg for a fee reported to be €6.5million, but has established himself as a key member of Mark Hughes' side.

The City boss handed Kompany the captain's armband in a couple of games last term and after undergoing a toe operation in the summer the player admitted he was glad to be back to aid City's ambitious push to break into the Premier League's 'big four'.

"I didn't expect just to jump back in because my last game was in May or to be involved in a match where we were down to 10 men but I enjoyed it and we stood strong," Kompany said of yesterday's game at the DW Stadium.

"My favourite position is in midfield but I can deliver just as good a job from central defence. Whenever I get the chance to play then I just try to take it.

"We are looking upwards and are stepping in the right direction both on and off the pitch. We are as close as we ever been with our fans as a club which is not always the way when so much money is spent.

"We have a nice way of playing football behind everything we are trying to achieve. It is a compliment to us that everyone wants to beat us."

Hughes believes Kompany's new deal is good business for City, describing the player as "a big part of our future".

"He has been desperate to get back into action and in fact we have had to hold him back a little since his operation in the summer such was his desire to return to action," Hughes said.

"But that is the kind of lad that he is. He is still only 23 years old but is so mature in his outlook; that is why I made him captain last season on occasions.

"He wants to improve, he is ambitious and he is desperate for success. He was one of our most reliable performers last season and it is great that we have been able to secure his services for the next five years.

"It is another sign of our commitment to young talent. Vincent is a big part of our future."