Chris Smalling signs extension with Manchester United through 2019

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United says defender Chris Smalling has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2019. The 25-year-old

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United says defender Chris Smalling has signed a new contract to keep him at the club until 2019.

The 25-year-old Smalling, who has won the English Premier League twice and played 147 times since signing for United in 2010, says, "this is a very exciting time to be at Manchester United."

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United manager Louis van Gaal says England international Smalling "has improved and developed immensely during the short time that I have been at the club," and described him as "an integral part of the first-team squad."

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Added Smalling: "I’m delighted to sign my new contract. I am so proud to play for such a great club. We have developed as a team over the course of the season under Louis van Gaal and we are now playing as a complete unit. This is a very exciting time to be at Manchester United, we are all determined to get back to where we belong and competing at the highest level."