Manchester United defender Gary Neville has signed a new one-year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until June 2010.
The 34-year-old, who has been at the club for over 17 years, missed almost the entire 2007/08 season following a serious ankle injury.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feared his club captain might never play again but the full-back proved himself worthy of a new deal by making 22 appearances this season.
"Manchester United are the only club I have ever wanted to play for so I am delighted to have signed for another year," Neville told the club's official website.
Ferguson added: "We are delighted that Gary has signed for another year.
"Gary is a true professional and I admire how he has overcome an injury which kept him out for over a year, returning as good as ever.
"He deserves this new contract and we are very happy to have him here.
"There was great concern over whether he was going to come back because at that age to be out for a year-and-a-half isn’t easy.
"But the way he has come back is absolutely fantastic. It’s a demonstration by Gary that he’s never going to give in. He’s an amazing lad."
Neville now joins fellow United veterans Ryan Giggs, 35, and Paul Scholes, 34, with a contract for next season. And Fergie believes they could all play beyond that.
He said: "We’ll see what happens next year.
"But if they keep their performance level up they will be here for another year, there’s no question about that.
"They are the spirit of this club and an example to everyone.
"For any young player asking himself ‘how can I keep playing til 35 years of age?’ they can look at those three players, how they have conducted themselves and how their performance levels and drive have never changed."
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The 34-year-old, who has been at the club for over 17 years, missed almost the entire 2007/08 season following a serious ankle injury.
United boss Sir Alex Ferguson feared his club captain might never play again but the full-back proved himself worthy of a new deal by making 22 appearances this season.
"Manchester United are the only club I have ever wanted to play for so I am delighted to have signed for another year," Neville told the club's official website.
Ferguson added: "We are delighted that Gary has signed for another year.
"Gary is a true professional and I admire how he has overcome an injury which kept him out for over a year, returning as good as ever.
"He deserves this new contract and we are very happy to have him here.
"There was great concern over whether he was going to come back because at that age to be out for a year-and-a-half isn’t easy.
"But the way he has come back is absolutely fantastic. It’s a demonstration by Gary that he’s never going to give in. He’s an amazing lad."
Neville now joins fellow United veterans Ryan Giggs, 35, and Paul Scholes, 34, with a contract for next season. And Fergie believes they could all play beyond that.
He said: "We’ll see what happens next year.
"But if they keep their performance level up they will be here for another year, there’s no question about that.
"They are the spirit of this club and an example to everyone.
"For any young player asking himself ‘how can I keep playing til 35 years of age?’ they can look at those three players, how they have conducted themselves and how their performance levels and drive have never changed."
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