Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo signs new contract after rejecting Manchester United offer

Inter Milan defender Yuto Nagatomo has extended his contract with the Italian giants until 2019 having rejected the chance to join Manchester United in January. Nagatomo, 29, has made 172 appearances for the Nerazzurri to date and explained his close relationship with the club made the decision to extend his stay at the San Siro an easy one.

"I am very happy, I love Inter, is the team with which I have always wanted to play and I feel at home," he told the club's official website. "I did not want to leave and I'm glad to stay, for this I have to thank the club, the president Erick Thohir, [vice-president Javier] Zanetti, Mr [Roberto] Mancini, staff, peers and fans. A special thought goes to my family for supporting me in this path."

United were one club interested in luring him away from Milan. Before the emergence of young fullbacks Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Guillermo Varela, Louis van Gaal was keen to enlist the services of an experienced full-back during the winter window and seemingly turned to Nagatomo.

According to the player himself, an offer came in from the Premier League giants. He was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail: "I turned down an offer from Manchester United, as my desire is to stay here. I have an excellent rapport with Roberto Mancini."

Speaking after signing his new deal, the Japan international acknowledged many players in his position would be tempted by an offer to join a club in England, but insisted he is satisfied with life in Italy.

"For me, it is a great honour to wear this shirt, I never thought to leave. I have been here for five years, everyone treats me well and I always help. Maybe a lot of players want to go to England, but not me, I love Italy and I am fine in my team. "