Pep Guardiola has revealed that Kyle Walker's Manchester City teammates "demanded" that the defender to stay at the club this summer and sign a new contract.
The Citizens confirmed on Thursday afternoon that the 33-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year contract extension until June 2026 following a lengthy spell of uncertainty over his future during the summer transfer window.
Walker was strongly linked with a move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and recently admitted that he was "close" to completing a permanent move to the Allianz Arena.
However, the experienced England international was ultimately persuaded to commit his future to the Etihad Stadium where he has won a total of 15 trophies over a six-year period.
Guardiola has described Walker as a "really important" figure at Man City and believes that the defender is continuing to improve his game despite entering the latter stages of his career.
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Asked about Walker's impact at the club, Guardiola told mancity.com: "Really important. "Kyle is an important figure for us. Players demanded he could not leave. At the end he decided to stay with his wife and family. It is really important for us.
"I spoke with mates and lots of people and they told me Kyle cannot leave. He has qualities you can't find across the world.
"He can control the best wingers on the planet, who can do better than him?
"He's getting better on the ball year by year and after he will compete with [Erling] Haaland to score goals. He scored (for England) against Ukraine so be careful Erling!"
Guardiola believes that Walker still has the hunger to compete for more trophies with the Citizens, adding: "His mind is there and here in the pitch. In terms of genetics, few players I've seen like him. They are unique.
"As much as he enjoys his life as long as he works there will be no problem."
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Since the departure of Ilkay Gundogan over the summer, Walker has captained Man City from the start in four of their first five matches in all competitions this season, with the experienced defender considered as one of the main leaders in the first-team squad.
Walker has admitted that it would be an honour to don the armband on a permanent basis, and Guardiola has confirmed that a squad vote to determine the new captain will be made soon.
"[Walker is] already one of the captains, the vote will be in the next days and the players will decide the first captain and the other ones (vice-captains)," said Guardiola.
It is thought that both Walker and Kevin De Bruyne are among the favourites to be named as Man City's new captain along with Ruben Dias and Rodri.
Since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017, Walker has made 260 appearances for Man City across all competitions, including 39 outings in the club's historic Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble-winning campaign in 2022-23.
Walker is expected to be involved in City's Premier League clash away against West Ham United on Saturday, but Guardiola will have to cope without John Stones, Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic due to injury.
Oliver Thomas
